What kind of situations in Education can be seen as unfair labor practice?

Answer 1

Any school or training course that requires students to "work" to complete credits could be seen as unfair labor practices. While schools defend having students complete "work" type assignments as part of the educational process, many students feel it is simply free labor with students unable to refuse or they will be terminated from the school.

For example, student nurses complete rotations working in the hospital under the guidance of Registered Nurses (teachers or hospital staff as preceptors). Student Nurses complete scut work, the dirtiest work or most time consuming. For example, if all students do is make beds, hospitals save money because they do not need as many nursing aides or assistants on the day shift.

Many college students seek internships to improve their resumes and chances to get a good job after graduation. But many interns are unpaid, "hired" (accepted) only to do low-level menial work with the hope of being noticed and included in the "real workings" of the company. Unpaid internships do provide work experiences, but it is still free labor.

However, from the other side of the argument, schools or companies would say that these parts of an occupation give students first-hand and hands-on experiences they could not get elsewhere. Indeed, many students either discover on their own "this isn't for me" or students' deficiencies are noticeable, allowing schools to weed out inappropriate candidates before graduation. Failed internships may force students to completely chance career goals and paths.