Elite Modeling, a top modeling agency, is being sued by a former intern for allegedly failing to pay its interns overtime pay for the hours they worked in excess of 40. The intern claims that the company misclassified its interns as exempt from wage requirements and then made them work more than 40 hours a week, including weekends.
The intern claims that her duties included “Assisting Bookers with scouting new talent at open calls; Assisting with product management and development including data entry, scheduling and image maintenance; Providing administrative support for Marketing/Booking/Scouting Departments; Issued follow-up for bookings and referrals, thank you letters, phone calls, and client feedback; Initiated new contacts and cultivated business relationships; Answered phone calls, greeted clients, and scheduled appointments; Assisted with purchasing of processed client orders; Assisting all Agents and Bookers; Performing general office duties: processing shipments, ordering promo product & office supplies.”
There seems to be a growing trend of companies taking advantage of their interns. Two other major lawsuits brought by interns are against Fox Entertainment Group and Hearst Corporation, which are still pending.
If you work as an intern, please contact the employment lawyers at Fitapelli & Schaffer, (212) 300-0375, to schedule a free consultation so that we can discuss your rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the New York Labor Law.