Is the Vegan Women Summit Violating Labor Laws?

"Volunteers" at a for-profit event may be "employees" owed wages

One of my 10 questions for the Vegan Women Summit I asked recently was why was the event asking for volunteers? The organization is incorporated as an LLC in Florida so for-profit, with an updated filing in April, 2024.

The law is very clear.

Under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act “volunteer services to for-profit private sector employers” are not allowed while volunteering for non-profits is fine.

Similarly, under the California labor code, “volunteers” cannot offer services to private for-profit entities.

The legal implications are that anyone volunteering at this event may be considered an “employee” under both federal and state law, entitled to wages and other legal protections of the labor code. Wage theft should be taken very seriously.

Here is how to file a wage claim with the California Department of Labor.