NY enacts new camp staff labor laws
February 25, 2011
New York State Department of Labor regulations require that support staff at New York State for-profit camps, including those who hail from abroad, be paid the state minimum wage and be compensated for overtime work performed. Many camps in the state have readjusted their pay structures to comply with the law for the summer 2011 hiring season, which is currently underway.
Cultural exchange organizations such as InterExchange have made compliance with the regulations simple and have created a pay structure that benefits both the camp and the international support staff that the camp hires. Starting in 2011, for-profit summer camps in New York state will no longer pay agency fees to InterExchange for support staff as the program fee will be paid by the support staff that come from abroad. Within the InterExchange structure, satisfying the wage obligations is simple - camps can pay the international staff member a pre-tax stipend of $2,600, or the hourly minimum wage mandated by the law, whichever is higher. InterExchange assists the participant with setting up an account and pay is deposited directly. This process makes the task of hiring and paying international staff members in a manner that complies with state law hassle-free.
"While we’ve always been very pleased with the quality of the staff and support we’ve received from InterExchange, this year they have shown particularly strong initiative in being the first organization to come up with new ways for us to more effectively meet all the Department of Labor requirements when hiring support staff. Kudos to the entire organization!" - David Cramoy, Director Brant Lake Camp.
International camp staff will also enjoy improved support when organizing their trips to the U.S. for their summer camp jobs at a for-profit camp in New York state. They will have a choice between two simple options for paying the program fees and airfare associated with their camp staff assignments. Those who can finance their airfare and pay the program fees up-front can do so in their home countries. Alternatively, if they want to apply their summer earnings to finance their program fees, they can arrange to have fees deducted incrementally from their bank accounts as they earn their wages.
With this innovative pay structure, camps and prospective international support staff are able to work with each other during the coming summer, while staying compliant with New York State regulations. In addition to the convenience offered by the program, it allows for both international staff and camps to benefit - staff can now earn a higher wage, and camps can be sure they’re fully compliant with the law.
