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UK Internship Policy Template.docx

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This page covers everything you need to know about hiring, hosting, and offboarding interns at [FILL: Company name] - whether the placement is paid or unpaid. If you are a manager about to bring on an intern, read this before you do anything else.

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Why this policy exists

Internship law in the UK is frequently misunderstood. The word "intern" has no legal meaning - what matters is the nature of the arrangement. Managers who get this wrong expose the company to HMRC enforcement, back-pay claims, and reputational damage. This page gives you the clarity to get it right. ⚖️

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Who this applies to

• All hiring managers hosting interns or placement students
• The People team when approving and administering placements
• Anyone joining on an intern, placement, or work experience basis

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1. The Legal Framework

1.1 "Intern" has no legal status

The label does not matter. What matters is whether the individual is doing real work that benefits the business. If they are, they are almost certainly a worker entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage - regardless of what you call the arrangement.

1.2 When an intern must be paid

An intern must receive at least NMW if any of the following apply:

• They have agreed (verbally or in writing) to carry out work for the company