What Is an Intern Non-Disclosure Confidentiality Agreement?
An intern non-disclosure confidentiality agreement is a contract between an intern and a hiring company to keep certain information private. It should be utilized if an intern, whether unpaid or working for school credit, has access to proprietary information when performing their duties.
It explains acceptable uses of the information and what constitutes confidential data. The parties can also refer to it to see how an intern must return data and maintain confidentiality once their internship ends.
An intern NDA doesn’t typically include non-compete clauses. Without these, a young professional won’t have significant roadblocks to exploring opportunities as they grow in their career. However, an intern NDA may include non-solicitation clauses to prevent the poaching of clients or staff.
Create a Work Agreement With Your Intern
An intern NDA only prevents an intern from disclosing sensitive company info. You will need to enter an internship agreement to clarify the terms of the relationship and define ownership of the work. Ensure that you comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rules regarding minimum wage and overtime pay for interns.
Why Is an NDA for Interns Important?
An NDA for interns provides the following benefits:
- Allows for the sharing of key details. An intern NDA lets a company confidently share private information with an intern. The intern can use this data to complete their assignments and support the company’s operations.
- Regulates use of info. An intern NDA can restrict what the intern is allowed to include in their resume or portfolio. They may need to redact certain processes or work tasks to respect the company’s competitive advantage.
- Ensures confidentiality. An intern NDA ensures that an intern upholds confidentiality for a period specified by the company. They can also respect the company by maintaining confidentiality after the agreement expires. This can help them establish a positive professional reputation for themselves.
Can a Company Force an Intern to Sign an NDA?
A company can require the signing of an intern NDA as a condition of the internship. However, they cannot force an intern to sign something they don’t want to sign. As a result, though, the company may not allow the intern to work for them. You may also not use an intern NDA to prevent the reporting of illegal activities.
Sample Non-Disclosure Agreement for Interns
View an example of a non-disclosure agreement for interns to see what key clauses to include. Then, create your own using our guided form and download the final contract in PDF or Word format.
