Are Interns Entitled to Leave? Understanding Your Rights During an Internship

Leave Eligibility During an Internship

In many organizations, interns are eligible for certain types of leave during their internship period. The specific leave benefits available to interns can vary depending on the company's policies and practices. It is essential for interns to familiarize themselves with the leave eligibility criteria and procedures to ensure they understand their rights and obligations regarding leave during their internship. Employers should clearly communicate the leave policies to interns to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings. By providing clarity on leave eligibility, both interns and organizations can benefit from a smooth and productive internship experience.

Internship Leave Policy

Internship is a period of training as part of the curriculum of a college or university. It is usually unpaid, and as such, no leave is admissible. Even if it were admissible, it would not make any difference because it is unpaid. Suppose the company has offered a stipend during the internship; certainly, the company can treat the leave as unpaid only. This is because leave is applicable only to the employees of the organization, and an intern is not an employee but a student of some college doing on-the-job training as part of the curriculum.

Interns as Employees

Now, if you have just replaced the designation of Trainee with intern, and the person is not doing it as per the curriculum, then they should be considered an employee for all statutory benefits. They should also be given the same leaves available to any other employee in the same service. I used the word "service" because there are eligibility criteria for different types of leave. Earned leave is given to those who have completed 12 months of service, whereas CL or Sick leave is governed by different service conditions as per state law.