Under the FLSA, a volunteer will not be considered an employee if the individual volunteers for public service, religious or humanitarian objectives, and without contemplation or receipt of compensation.

FORBES: Using Volunteers and Interns: Is It Legal?

In contrast, 53% of the participants who made their decision without contemplation, or exchanged e-mails with a stranger who indicated that he or she would probably go for the money, lied.

FORBES: Magazine Article