Why it now sucks even more to be an unpaid intern

The disappointing outcome of Lihuan Wang's sexual harassment suit shows how vulnerable interns are

Creepy boss
(Image credit: (Thinkstock))

In addition to constantly taking Starbucks orders, making photocopies, and working endless hours for free, unpaid interns actually suffer an even bigger indignity: They cannot sue for sexual harassment.

While some people sarcastically joke that being an unpaid intern is slave labor, the comparison is getting some credence with a new case highlighting how swiftly unpaid interns' complaints are dismissed in courts.

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Emily Shire is chief researcher for The Week magazine. She has written about pop culture, religion, and women and gender issues at publications including Slate, The Forward, and Jewcy.