Student Employee Rights and Responsibilities

Students are expected to report to work on time and be ready to work. Students are to inform their supervisors whenever they will be absent or late. If an emergency occurs, students must call their supervisor as soon as possible. In non-emergency situations, students must give notice when they cannot work as scheduled and explain the reasons for their absence or tardiness. Make up time for excused absences are totally at the discretion of the supervisors. Students do not have a "right" to make up absences. Students should give appropriate notice (minimum of one week) when terminating a position. Failure to do so may reflect on future references.

Students must use acceptable hygiene and maintain a well-groomed appearance. Dress code: Brief shorts, tank tops, tube tops, torn jeans, flip-flops or bare feet are usually not acceptable. Students should ask their supervisor if the department has a specific dress code.

Students must try to establish a good working relationship with their supervisors and other department members. A positive attitude will go a long way in establishing this relationship. Any task the student is asked to perform should be done correctly and completely to the student's best ability. Students must always follow department's policies and procedures. If instructions are not understood, ask questions to complete the task accurately. Many people depend on student employees to conduct themselves in a professional and businesslike manner. Therefore, it is important that student employees be aware of the image they are projecting. Keep conversations and language appropriate for a work setting. Student employees need to be aware of the things they are saying and their appropriateness. Student employees serve an important role in helping departments provide quality services.

Student assistants are representing the University at their work place and should always listen carefully and give clear and polite responses to visitors or other students.

Personal phone calls and visitors to the workplace are not acceptable unless pre-approved by your supervisor.

Answer a telephone call by identifying the department and inform the caller of your name. Take messages neatly or transfer the call to voice mail. If not sure of the spelling of a name, ask the caller to spell it for you and always repeat a phone number to make sure it is correct.

The confidentiality of student information, including class schedules and grade information, is protected under a federal law known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Inappropriate release of confidential student information is a serious offense. If you have access to student information as part of your employment, it is imperative that you not share the information with anyone outside of your office.

Do not discuss department issues with anyone outside of the department, nor remove files or other materials from your workplace.

Equipment and supplies are to be used only for official University business. Use equipment only after receiving instructions and always keep safety in mind. Do not misuse supplies.

Employment with the University is "at will" and may be terminated at any time. The University, at its discretion, may utilize progressive disciplinary procedures in circumstances determined appropriate as outlined below.

Employees who do not perform work to standard or who violate rules, regulations or policies of the University may be disciplined according to the seriousness or the repetition of the violation. Formal disciplinary steps are not usually required for dismissal of probationary, temporary, or part-time employees.

Certain actions can cause employees to be disciplined, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Insubordination;
• Inefficiency, incompetency, or inability in the performance of duties;
• Refusal to obey directions or accept assignments;
• Careless workmanship or negligence in the performance of duties;
• Sleeping, loitering or loafing during working hours;
• Conducting personal business on the job;
• Continual tardiness or chronic absenteeism; failure to notify supervisor of absence;
• Excessive, unnecessary or unauthorized use of University supplies, materials or equipment, particularly for personal purposes;
• Unauthorized use or misuse of all computer systems, equipment, and software;
• Careless, negligent or improper use of University property; including official vehicles;
• Dishonesty, including falsifying employment application or work records or other University work records; clocking in/out for another student worker or falsifying time cards;
• Conviction of a criminal act or illegal activity reasonably related to conduct relevant to the workplace;
• Violating the University's nondiscrimination and/or sexual harassment policy;
• Violating University rules, policies or regulations or departmental work rules;
• Unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances on University property or as part of University activities;
• Possession, use, or distribution of alcohol on University property. The possession, use, or distribution of alcohol in conjunction with University activities not on University property shall be in compliance with applicable federal laws, state laws, and local ordinances;
• Reporting to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol; refusal to consent to drug or alcohol testing;
• Fighting or using obscene, abusive, or threatening language or gestures;
• Theft;
• Unauthorized possession of ammunition, firearms, explosive weapons, other weapons as defined in Missouri Revised Statutes Section 571.010 (2), (6), (10), (11), (13), (17) and (18) on University premises or while on University business.  Authorization to possess such items on University property may be granted by the Director of Safety and Transportation or his/her designee;
• Disorderly or immoral conduct on the University premises;
• Disregarding safety and/or security regulations;
• Smoking where/when prohibited;
• "Horseplay" which endangers self or other employees;
• Excessive or unauthorized use of telephones;
• Leaving the job during working hours without permission;
• Unauthorized release of confidential information from official records;
• Gambling during working hours;
• Misconduct off duty of such a nature as to reflect discredit on or cause embarrassment to the University or to the State.