Hi there,
My son is undertaking a veterinary degree in NSW. This requires him to complete a year of student placements working in veterinary clinics. These are lawfully unpaid positions and that's fine.
What I am interested in knowing is what legal protections exist for students in this situation. In particular, is there any limit on the hours they can require them to work?
The university requires students on these placements to work in the university clinic from 7am to 7pm five (and occasionally six) days in a row during their internship year. These hours are compulsory and non-negotiable - any days that they're off sick have to be made up at another time and can delay their graduation significantly.
There's no question in my mind that this is unhealthy but is it legal?
My son is undertaking a veterinary degree in NSW. This requires him to complete a year of student placements working in veterinary clinics. These are lawfully unpaid positions and that's fine.
What I am interested in knowing is what legal protections exist for students in this situation. In particular, is there any limit on the hours they can require them to work?
The university requires students on these placements to work in the university clinic from 7am to 7pm five (and occasionally six) days in a row during their internship year. These hours are compulsory and non-negotiable - any days that they're off sick have to be made up at another time and can delay their graduation significantly.
There's no question in my mind that this is unhealthy but is it legal?