Work Schedules

Quarterly Schedule

At the beginning of each academic quarter your supervisor will work with you to develop a work schedule that accommodates your class schedule. You may be required to work some evening and/or weekend hours if your department provides service during those hours. This is the time you have the most flexibility, so, if you have specific scheduling needs (e.g. transportation) please let your supervisor know. Your quarterly schedule applies to finals week and holidays unless you make other arrangements with your supervisor.

Hours/Week

During the academic quarter, a student generally works between 10 and 19.5 hours/week (the maximum allowable hours). During summer quarter and interims, students may work up to 39.5 hours/week with supervisor approval.

Breaks and Meals

You are entitled to one 15-minute paid break for each four hour period that you work.

Examples:

• < 4 hours = no paid break
• 4 to < 8 hours = 15 minute paid break
• 8 hours = two 15 minute paid breaks

If you work more than 6 hours, you are required by law to take an unpaid meal break. Meal breaks must be at least 30 minutes, but can be scheduled for longer periods.

Because breaks are designed to give you rest periods during your work day, there are some rules about how/when you can take them.

• You cannot use your break time to arrive late or leave early.
• You cannot combine breaks (either paid or unpaid) into one longer break.
• You cannot save your breaks to use on another day.

Please take your breaks away from your work area. Good places to go are:

• the staff lounge (including phone for personal phone calls)
• the E-Court Cafe
• the Rotunda
• outside in the sun (maybe)

Absences

You are responsible for making alternate arrangements when an unavoidable conflict prevents you from working your normal shift.

Planned Absences - Procedures for arranging planned absences vary from department to department. Students who work public service desks MUST find alternate coverage for their hours.

Shelving - students must arrange alternate coverage. There is a spreadsheet in the online student folder used for requesting substitutes. If you can't find a sub, please contact your supervisor before the shift you will miss.

Unplanned Absences - Some events, such as illnesses or accidents, can't be planned in advance. In the event of an unplanned absence, you must contact your supervisor/department.

Note: Exams are scheduled in advance. If you need extra time to study, please plan ahead.

Shelving - Call/leave a message for Mary Van Court at (206)543-3395. For evening/weekend shifts, please notify Information Desk staff at (206)543-3390.

Tardiness - It is important to be on time for your assigned shifts. In many cases, you are relieving other staff members who cannot leave until you arrive. Please be considerate. If you are going to be more than 5 minutes late, please call your supervisor/department.

Inclement Weather - The Health Sciences Library is often open when the UW is closed due to inclement weather. Only students officially designated as "essential staff" should report to work when this happens. If you wish to make up the hours you lost, please consult your supervisor.

If the UW is open and you cannot get to work safely due to inclement weather, please follow the "unplanned absences" procedures for your department.

Unreported Absences ("No Shows") - You are responsible for your assigned hours. If you do not report an absence (either planned or unplanned), it disrupts the work flow in your department. If you commit three "no-shows" during a quarter, your employment may be terminated.

Excessive Absences/Tardiness - The library depends on student assistants to operate. If you find that it is difficult to maintain your schedule, please contact your supervisor. It may be possible to adjust your schedule or make other accommodations. Without accommodation, you may be dismissed (or not rehired next quarter) for excessive unplanned absences or tardiness.

Shelving - An overall absence rate of more than 80% is considered to be excessive in most situations. However, because the library operates with fewer people at closing time, it is especially important to be present to assist with closing duties. More than one closing shift absence per month may be considered excessive. Exceptions can be made for unusual/short-term situations.