Unpaid

Unpaid is an adjective used to describe something for which payment has not been received or is not provided. In economic and legal contexts it can refer to wages, services, or charges that remain outstanding, or to a status in which compensation is not provided for work or time.

Common uses include unpaid wages or salaries, unpaid internships, unpaid bills or debts, unpaid leave, and unpaid labor. Unpaid wages occur when an employer fails to compensate an employee on the agreed schedule, which can result from payroll errors, insolvency, or wage theft and is addressed by labor regulations in many jurisdictions. Unpaid internships describe programs where participants do not receive monetary compensation; the legality and acceptability of such arrangements vary by country, industry, and the nature of the work, with ongoing debates about access, exploitation, and educational value. Unpaid bills or debts refer to invoices that are overdue, potentially triggering interest, penalties, or collections. Unpaid leave, or leave without pay, is a type of time off granted without compensation and can affect pay and benefits. Unpaid labor or volunteering refers to work performed without charge for charitable, community, or nonprofit purposes; while common in the nonprofit sector, it is distinct from paid employment.

Legal and regulatory considerations address timely payment of wages, minimum wage and overtime protections, and classification of workers. The status of unpaid internships, in particular, is often scrutinized to ensure fair treatment and appropriate compensation where required. Economic and social implications of unpaid arrangements include cash flow difficulties for individuals, potential financial hardship, and broader concerns about access, equity, and labor standards.