Unpaid interns would be able to sue over harassment, discrimination

HARTFORD – Unpaid interns would be allowed to file lawsuits over workplace harassment and discrimination, under a bill that won approval in the Judiciary Committee on Monday and heads to the Senate.

Committee members said that currently, no such protections exist for interns. Under the legislation, which passed unanimously, unpaid interns would be allowed to file claims with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, as well as civil claims for damages.

“It is my understanding that there is no statute that protects interns from harassment and discrimination and, particularly, no statutes protecting them from retaliation,” said Sen. Eric D. Coleman, D-Bloomfield, co-chairman of the committee. “What this bill would do is to provide that protection to interns, who are not compensated.”

“I think we all agree that no one should be subjected to any type of harassment or discrimination in any type of work environment,” said Rep. Rosa Rebimbas, R-Naugatuck. “I would certainly hope that we’re codifying what should be common practice in all workplaces, no matter what the relationship is between the individuals or whether or not they get paid for the work that they’re doing.”

But Rep. John T. Shaban, R-Redding, said he was concerned that it could change labor law by adding a standard for the definition of intern to state statutes.

“We could be creating a rubric that we’re not intending to create, by including not someone who really isn’t an employee in an employee construct, but as it sits here today I’m supportive of the bill,” Shaban said.