HootSuite Ends Unpaid Internships

Hootsuite’s marketing department | BCBusiness
Hootsuite’s marketing department

The Vancouver digital media company has back paid former unpaid interns and revised its internship compensation policies following a debate on the social news site Reddit

HootSuite confirmed Wednesday that its unpaid internships may have violated B.C. employment law, and that it would back pay interns for the past six months.

“It was brought to my attention on Friday, April 5th that HootSuite had unpaid internship postings on its website that may have been in contravention of the Employment Standards Act of BC,” said CEO Ryan Holmes in a statement emailed to the Vancouver Sun.

“HootSuite conducted an immediate review with our Talent and Legal team and we have determined that some intern roles may not have been in compliance with Employment Standards Act of BC.”

Shortly after HootSuite opened its new Mount Pleasant headquarters to the Vancouver media, a thread on Reddit attracted hundreds of comments questioning the legality of offering unpaid internships that are not part of a course of studies at a post-secondary institution.

HootSuite will continue to offer its intern program and internship opportunities in the sales, marketing and community departments are listed on its website. 

“I remain confident that our program offers young professionals unique opportunities to build their careers and I will proudly continue to provide this option for those interested,” Holmes said in his statement.