Resolved

[LuvToRead]

Issue resolved.

Thanks for the responses!

 

Edited June 11, 2021 by LuvToRead

[Clemsondana]

I think 'stipend' is the generic term for 'very low paid employee in academia'.  Grad student pay and summer internship pay is always called a stipend.  The idea is that you are being trained in the lab to do lab stuff - not just the mechanics and techniques, but the thought process.  People getting a stipend are a part of lab meetings and can go to seminars and other learning experiences.  In any given situation, they may know more than their supervisor about the techniques.  Obviously newbies are being trained, but an undergrad returning for a second summer may be under the supervision of a new grad student who is learning the ropes of that particular lab.  The grad student may know more in general, but, having never done bench work in that particular lab, may not yet know how a particular protocol or bit of work flow is done there.  Or they may change things because of the overall project goals so that it's different from in previous years.  

My only experience with stipends is in a lab setting, although I know that they are used in other places.  In some settings the recipient is provided housing and meals, and in other settings they find their own (cheap) accommodations.  Now that I think about it, when I worked as a camp counselor on a college campus our pay was probably called a stipend.  

[LuvToRead]

9 hours ago, Clemsondana said:

I think 'stipend' is the generic term for 'very low paid employee in academia'.  Grad student pay and summer internship pay is always called a stipend.  The idea is that you are being trained in the lab to do lab stuff - not just the mechanics and techniques, but the thought process.  People getting a stipend are a part of lab meetings and can go to seminars and other learning experiences.  In any given situation, they may know more than their supervisor about the techniques.  Obviously newbies are being trained, but an undergrad returning for a second summer may be under the supervision of a new grad student who is learning the ropes of that particular lab.  The grad student may know more in general, but, having never done bench work in that particular lab, may not yet know how a particular protocol or bit of work flow is done there.  Or they may change things because of the overall project goals so that it's different from in previous years.  

My only experience with stipends is in a lab setting, although I know that they are used in other places.  In some settings the recipient is provided housing and meals, and in other settings they find their own (cheap) accommodations.  Now that I think about it, when I worked as a camp counselor on a college campus our pay was probably called a stipend.  

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Edited June 11, 2021 by LuvToRead

[LucyStoner]

It’s pretty easy for stipends to run afoul of both minimum wage laws and payroll tax requirements unless the employer is exempt from minimum wage laws and FICA (which is rare).  One of the things I do with my clients is   make sure workers are classified right and they aren’t flaunting payroll taxes or wage laws.  

If this is a summer camp program, summer camps are actually exempt from minimum wage.  I mention that since you say it’s a summer job.