Is my daughter being used?
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Anonymous
| She got accepted into this "fellowship" program, basically like an internship, for the Democratic Party of (State She Goes to School in and Lives In for Summer). It is basically a step below field organizer, and it's unpaid. This is what she wants to go into though. Initially she thought it was going to be a part time commitment, so she could pick up a few paid hours elsewhere, but she sent me her schedule and she's worked 11-8 every day this week, plus 6 hours tomorrow, plus four on Sunday. Is this even legal? |
Anonymous
| Tell her to say no to the weekends, and 40 hour max weekly. No one respects a doormat. |
Anonymous
| Well it's a volunteer gig. Of course it's legal to volunteer for nine hours a day and then over 40 on the weekend. If she needs a break she should go to her "boss" and say "Hey, as of Saturday evening I'll have worked 46 hours this week, and I won't be able to come in on Sunday. I'll be in Monday at 11am though. Thanks, bye." |
Anonymous
| Is she upset about it? Yes, she is being used, but yes, if she wants to go into this field, this experience is valuable and, given her experience level, the best way to distinguish herself is by working her ass off. So unless she seems unhappy and miserable about the situation, I would not encourage her to pick a battle. |
Anonymous
| Very typical of campaign/political work. |
Anonymous
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I've done a lot of political work. Those hours are normal for that kind of work, maybe even a little better than normal. It's rough, but it's truly the best experience she can get if this is what she wants to do professionally.
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Anonymous
I meant to add that sometimes after volunteering for the summer, these positions are made paid after Labor Day. A lot of people I worked with in my early days took off the fall semester of a presidential election year to work FT on the campaign. They all returned in Jabuary, all finished college, all are gainfully employed adults now. |
Anonymous
Sure. Did you do their work until January? No. You profited by the free labor, right? And who paid their rent? Food, etc? |
Anonymous
| All unpaid positions = exploitation. |
Anonymous
| She can set limits. |
Anonymous
This. It's her choice. No one is beung "used." She can walk out anytime if she wants to. No victim here. |
Anonymous
So says every abuser. Shame on you! |
Anonymous
Are you f'king kidding me? 
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Anonymous
No, I'm not f'king kidding you. That's why we have basic labor laws in America. When my kid had her Capital Hill summer internship 9-5, she still worked her regular retail job 6-10pm to maintain some income. |
Anonymous
You let her work 13 hours/day and you are preaching "basic labor laws" in America? |