Unpaid Internship

Heat_Wave

Hi all

I'm about to start a three month unpaid internship.

I am wondering if I can claim dole for these three months?

I have been working full time since the age of 18, and have never been on the dole (26 now).

Tbh I think it's a disgrace that the internship is unpaid, however there is nothing I can do about it. I am leaving a really good job to do this, as sometimes you need to take one step backwards in order to move two steps forwards.

Money is a huge concern though.

All advice appreciated.

HW

clairewithani

I don't think you can because you are unavailable for work but I hope there is some way around it for you. Good luck in the future OP.

Heat_Wave

clairewithani wrote: »

I don't think you can because you are unavailable for work but I hope there is some way around it for you. Good luck in the future OP.

Doesn't that seem completely unjust?

My taxes for the past 8 years have been going to those you 'need' it, and now I, unfortunately, find myself in a position where I need it.

There must be some option.

If not, I will have to take out a loan in order to work. That just seems incredibly unjust.

Mrs OBumble

Assistance is provided to people who don't have jobs, to help them get one.

But theres very little help to change jobs once you have one. Unless you want to go to college.

listermint

Heat_Wave wrote: »

Doesn't that seem completely unjust?

My taxes for the past 8 years have been going to those you 'need' it, and now I, unfortunately, find myself in a position where I need it.

There must be some option.

If not, I will have to take out a loan in order to work. That just seems incredibly unjust.

This would want to be some internship tbh.

clairewithani

Heat_Wave wrote: »

Doesn't that seem completely unjust?

My taxes for the past 8 years have been going to those you 'need' it, and now I, unfortunately, find myself in a position where I need it.

There must be some option.

If not, I will have to take out a loan in order to work. That just seems incredibly unjust.

Completely unjust. I think you deserve payment and I hope I am wrong but I fear I am not.

Heat_Wave

Heat_Wave wrote: »

Hi all

I'm about to start a three month unpaid internship.

I am wondering if I can claim dole for these three months?

I have been working full time since the age of 18, and have never been on the dole (26 now).

Tbh I think it's a disgrace that the internship is unpaid, however there is nothing I can do about it. I am leaving a really good job to do this, as sometimes you need to take one step backwards in order to move two steps forwards.

Money is a huge concern though.

All advice appreciated.

HW

You can obviously do it if you don't disclose it.

They don't make you wear a tracker and it's not illegal as such provided its actually unpaid, you'll be told to leave it if they find out.

I did one from June till Dec but I spent the bulk of that seeking work so I was available, I'd have left if I got work.

I downed my hours after 5 months to two days, then left after 6 months and got a job over xmas.

The only advice I'd give you is to not do as I did, do not commit to doing 35 hours and or 5 days a week.
There won't be feck all competition for the placement(in my sector it was incompetent foreigners with bad english) if you're a good worker and the company has less incentive to keep you on if you give FT hours all for nothing.

Same as moving elsewhere, the number of days doesn't effect the experience levels, its about the timeline rather than hours.

silent_spark

If you are genuinely looking for and available for paid work during your internship, you might be eligible for JSB, but if you've voluntarily left your previous 'really good' job that may be an issue.

Heat_Wave

gilberto_eire wrote: »

You can obviously do it if you don't disclose it.

I do not know how it works when signing up.

I told my current employer that I am leaving because I got a job elsewhere.

Will I be questioned as to why I left that job? Can they contact that employer?

micks

Heat_Wave wrote: »

I do not know how it works when signing up.

I told my current employer that I am leaving because I got a job elsewhere.

Will I be questioned as to why I left that job? Can they contact that employer?

Yes you will be questioned on why you left

Why would you leave a "good job" for a non paying internship?

jester77

If you are leaving a really good job to do an unpaid internship, then this is obviously not a decision you made over night and you would have planned accordingly.

Surely you would have planned to have at least 4-6 months savings put aside before you decided to do it?

davo10

You are voluntarily leaving a really good, paid job, to take up an unpaid, intern position and then saying it is a unjust that it is an unpaid position, am I missing something?

Heat_Wave

davo10 wrote: »

You are voluntarily leaving a really good, paid job, to take up an unpaid, intern position and then saying it is a unjust that it is an unpaid position, am I missing something?

As I said in the OP, sometimes you need to take one step backwards in order to move two steps forwards.

When I say 'really good' job, I am referring to the salary and benefits which I will lose by taking on this unpaid internship.

The internship is in a very 'niche' industry, and I would imagine a lot of people would give their right arm in order to do it.

I have been told that there is a full time permanent position at the end of it, if I perform well in the internship.

So rather than having a 'probationary period', this company are using the internship to test people's commitment.

I would have put money aside in preparation for this, but as I only found out that I was successful two weeks ago, I, unfortunately, did not have time to save.

conor222

Heat_Wave wrote: »

There must be some option.

There is but might fly in the face of the "intership to test dedication".
Job seekers is for people searching and available for work which, from my understanding, you will not be during this time.
However,
If you are looking for work and would leave the internship if work were to present itself then you have a posibility. There is a form which will need to be signed by the people you are doing the internship with (it will be viewed as a voulenteering role) that they agree that you coudl leave for alternate employment shoud it present itself.

If you want to do voluntary work and continue to get Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit, you must apply under the voluntary work option before you start any voluntary work. To apply, fill in application form (VW1), which is available from your Intreo centre or social welfare local office.

This is not a guarenteed option as it needs approval. Also, you may face issues as you are (presumably) quiting a full time/paid job. Normally if you quit/leave voulentarily there is a waiting period before you can access social welfare.

This was definitly the case two years ago, from what Ir ead online it is still there. Hope this helps