Unpaid Internship Dilemma: How to Handle Extra Work and No Payment Issues?

I interned for a company called XXX or XXX (End to End Marketing Platform). It takes a large number of work-from-home interns from IITs and other top colleges, assigning them tasks in various domains. In the middle of the internship, after completing some work, they claim your performance is poor and release you without any pay. I completed the work assigned to me, but the CEO, YYY, gave me additional tasks that I couldn't complete in time. He released me, stating that I didn't complete the extra work, which wasn't mentioned in the job description. To this day, I haven't received any payment or certificate. I don't know what to do! I haven't met any of them, but I signed an NDA and offer letters. Can you help me with this?

[Edited: please focus on the problem instead of naming companies or individuals]

Legal Steps to Address Unpaid Internship Issues

The simplest way is to lodge a complaint with your local police station under Cheating, Indian Penal Code. Also, there was a clear violation of the Information Technology Act. There may be a few more cases out there. Search the net for such cases and show the officer that too.

Additionally, show the same to your area labor inspector. Visit the PF and ESI departments as well. All such compliances are also not met by these companies normally, so you can catch them there. For coverage and other information on such acts, see the website below as I cannot list all here.

Regards

Internship Experience and Concerns

It takes a large number of work-from-home interns from IITs.

In the middle of the internship, when you've done some work, they'll say your performance is poor.

1. Will someone accept that if he/she has actually not performed? You are a live example. How do you prove you have actually worked as per the desired results?

2. Most of our internships are posted in groups of a minimum of 3 candidates. We compare your work with other candidates, and only if you have performed poorly compared to your peers, we hold the candidate's stipend.

They gave more work which I couldn't complete in time. Most probably, he has given you a second chance to perform, and you have accepted on your own that you have failed even in that second chance.

Drop your details to [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons], and we will issue a certificate to you immediately, no matter even if you have not performed, but to motivate you.

You are mistaking the project detail document as an offer letter. Offer letters are generally for part/full-time employees.

Can you help me with this? Yes, we will drop details to [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons].

Regards

Depending on the terms and conditions of the NDA, offer letter, and any other written communication between you and the company, your next course of action can be decided.

Ensure there is a single line break between paragraphs.

Addressing Internship Issues with Your College

You need to take this up with the placement in charge of your college. As per your post, many students have encountered problems with the company. All of you should report the issue to the placement in charge and request that this company be banned from your college to prevent future mishaps.

Additionally, you should send this resolution to all the IITs so they can also consider taking similar action. An intern not being paid reflects poorly on the organization's value system. An intern is an on-the-job trainee and requires mentoring to complete tasks. They are not employees. If an intern's performance is subpar, the issue lies with the mentor, not the intern.

Your college should also communicate with the company regarding the inadequate quality of mentorship and strongly urge them to provide certificates and stipends as agreed upon.

Regards

How are these schemes any different from other so-called "work from home" scams. I have posted many, many times warning people not to engage in any "work from home" schemes, as they are almost certainly scams. A lot of them have been advertised on CiteHR over the years.

I would be interested to hear from any member who has been successful with this sort of work. However, I strongly suspect many of you have been cheated.