A student should consider adding professional experience to their resume alongside their studies. However, finding an internship is a real challenge. Stress, disappointment, and anxiety often accompany such a quest. Those who manage to land one are usually asked to sign an internship agreement, but what does it entail?
A legal document to read carefully
A student is often so excited to land an internship that they don't think to read the internship agreement. It's a legal document that deserves careful consideration and careful understanding of its various clauses. It grants access to rights, but also implies responsibilities and duties. It defines the relationship between the company and the intern and details the conditions for a potential termination.
It is important to understand that the internship agreement is not an employment contract, but it defines the status of the intern within the organization, who upon signing becomes a member of the company's workforce. Such a document allows for the precise details of the internship rules as well as the duties and responsibilities of the different parties, i.e. the intern, the school or university, and the organization. The agreement allows the intern to benefit from social security coverage, as well as insurance for the risk of workplace accidents. It must be duly signed by the three aforementioned parties.
Mandatory clauses of the agreement
In the event of a problem or dispute, the agreement becomes the reference for deciding. It must include the following clauses:
- the tasks and objectives expected of the intern;
-the duration of the internship, specifying the start and end dates;
-the number of hours of weekly presence in the company;
- the remuneration to be paid to the trainee and the method of payment;
- benefits granted to the intern during the internship such as transport costs and restaurant vouchers;
- the social security cover from which the trainee benefits;
-determination of those responsible for the internship at the company and at the academic establishment;
- the mention of the granting of an internship certificate by the structure;
- the conditions for terminating the internship or its suspension and the procedure to follow;
- the conditions of the trainee's authorization of absence;
-the company's internal regulations.
Before signing the internship agreement
To begin, you must read the internship agreement carefully before signing it. If you have any doubts about the legal terms or if you don't understand a clause, don't hesitate to contact the internship supervisor or their academic institution. Reading and understanding the contents of the agreement helps you avoid disappointments and understand the intern's tasks and responsibilities, as well as the various conditions for the successful completion of the internship. It is important that the tasks assigned to the intern are in line with their curriculum and the terms of validation of their diploma, as well as the intern's personal and professional expectations.
It's important to remember that the contract is a document that lists the rights and responsibilities of the various parties. It protects them from abuse and ensures the exchange of fair dealings. The organization benefits from the intern's labor for a short period of time, at a low cost. The intern, in turn, gains knowledge and experience while receiving a small salary for services rendered.
