GPSS Slide Presentation

8/9/2019 GPSS Slide Presentation

1/21

GPSS Senate Meeting 2/11/15by Social Work Student Union

Are practicum programs in compliance with

Federal labor standards?

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2/21

What We’ll Cover

• Introduction to SWSU

• UW School of Social Work Practicum Program

• Department of Labor Standards for Unpaid

Internships

• Student Survey and SSW 2014 survey

• How GPSS can support this fight!


3/21

Who are we?

•Dimitri Groce

1st Year MSW•Jooree Ahn

2nd Year MSW, 1st Year MPH

•Sean Johnson

MSW/MPH concurrent student, 3rd Year


4/21

Major Concerns

1) Legality of unrecognized practicum labor

2) Exploitation of practicum students and displacement

of paid workers

3) Safety and protection of students

4) Student burden in practicum participation


5/21

Practicum Program:What You Should Know

• Student role at practicum site

• Cost of practicum credits

• Workplace protections

• Student grievance process


6/21

Student Burden

• CSWE Mandates 900 hours of practicum• UW SSW Mandated Hours of Practicum

• MSW: 1,040 (26 credits)• BASW: 480 (12 credits)• Advanced Standing: 1,200

• Impacts approximately 500 students

• Resident Total Cost: $15,361

• Pay $14.77/ practicum hour • Non-Resident Total Cost: $25,706

• Pay $24.72/practicum hour

Does not include:

• lost wages and benefits• child care

• transportation

• other costs: books, professional clothing,

agency materials and requirements, etc.


7/21

Lack of Protection

• Discrimination

• Student reports: dismissal based on mental health status,reporting legal action against intimate partner violence,taking sick days

• Sexual Harassment• Unclear what legal and institutional protections are in place

• Injury• Students assume all risks for injury at their practicum site

• Must sign liability waiver

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8/21

Grievance Process

• Dealt with according to internal, academic protocol

• Viewed as interpersonal issues where the goals is:

“to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of a dispute”

• Legal recourse unclear and is not explicitly explained

before beginning practicum


9/21

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STANDARDS

Internship Programs Under the Fair LaborStandards Act


10/21

For an unpaid internship to be exempt from minimum wage and overtime

laws, all 6 of the following criteria must be met:

The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the

employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educationalenvironment;

2) The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern;

3 The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close

supervision of existing staff;

4 The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage

from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually

be impeded;

5) The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship;

6) The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for

the time spent in the internship.


11/21

On paper…

1) The internship, even though it includes actual operation of thefacilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be

given in an educational environment.

Clarifying language from the DOL:

“structured around a classroom or academic experience as opposed tothe employer’s actual operations”

Student experiences…

Learning happens at the practicum site, not in a classroom.

Learning is centered on the employer’s actual operations.


12/21

SSW Student Survey Summary Report on Field Education Experience and the U.S. Department

of Labor Criteria Spring, 2014


13/21

On paper…

2) The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern;

4) The employer that provides the training derives no immediate

advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its

operations may actually be impeded;

As stated in the UW Practicum Affiliation Agreement

“ The training site shall maintain the right to bill and receive payment

for services performed at the training site (p.4, item 27).”


14/21

SSW Student Survey Summary Report on Field Education Experience and the U.S.Department of Labor Criteria Spring, 2014


15/21


Many students feel that practicum sites and the UW receive themost benefit.

• Health coverage reimbursement and client payment

• Awarded grants and other funding sources developed bystudents

• Research, publications and creation of agency documents and

manuals

• Strategic partnerships with UW built and strengthened by

practicum student labor


16/21


17/21

SSW Student Survey Summary Report on Field Education Experience and the U.S.Department of Labor Criteria Spring, 2014


18/21


• Students have displaced employees.

• Students do the work of paid employees.

• Students do whatever work the agency needs.

• Students have little sense of agency in choosing their

placements.


19/21

On paper…

6) The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not

entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.


Practicum sites voluntarily paying students hourly wages.

Practicum sites unclear about legal liability and labor laws.

Practicum sites recognize that students are performing work thatwould be paid otherwise.


20/21

Support from GPSS on a Resolution to:

1. Urge the UW to conduct an independent audit on the practicumprogram that specifically assesses the program’s adherence to the

Department of Labor’s standards and incorporates student input

2. Urge the UW SSW to procure sustainable practicum positions that are

compensated and therefore protected under Federal Labor Laws that

ensure student safety.

3. Opportunity for UW SSW to set a precedent against unpaid practicums


21/21

Supporters

SponsorsSolidarity

Documents

GPSS Slide Presentation