Not too long ago a big stir was made surrounding volunteers and whether they are entitled to pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It was a fairly controversial issue because for years and years the term "volunteer" came with the assumption that the work was not compensated and volunteers were doing just that: volunteering their time. However, when volunteers are taken advantage of, that is when the litigation begins and we have since been provided with guidance on when pay is called for under the FLSA in certain volunteering situations.
Some "volunteer" activities can be employment under the FLSA thus warranting compensation and wages. This is true even if a volunteer isn't employed by the entity they are volunteering for, if the volunteering is labeled "charitable" or for "public service," and even if the volunteering is for a non-profit organization. "Interns" are not paid wages under the FLSA but certain types of "volunteers" may be under the FLSA.