Orientation to the Office/Job

Student employees and supervisors alike will benefit from an orientation for new student employees. Starting a new job can be stressful. Take the time to orientate your new student employee to your office, staff members and the duties of their job. The orientation procedure for new student employees might include the following:

Introduction

The new student employee should be introduced to everyone in the office or work area. Have the other employees describe their duties and how those duties fit in to the overall mission of the unit. Describe the office's mission, vision and goals and how these support the mission of the university. Explain all the services the office provides and how these support UM students as well as any other constituencies the office may serve.

Job Responsibilities for a Student Employee

Click here to access a basic suggested list of job responsibilities for a student employee.

Review of Rules and Regulations

All student employees are expected to abide by the rules and regulations of the office and the university. Additionally, if they are receiving Work-Study funds, they are expected to comply with any regulations from the Financial Aid Office concerning funds earned under any of the Work-Study programs. Each office or department should also provide the student employee a written statement of its policies and procedures regarding telephone use, working hours, breaks, dress code, and equipment use.

Work Orientation

Click here to access a new student employee "Orientation Checklist" form.

Explain the job thoroughly, step-by-step, and establish quality standards whenever possible. Tell why certain procedures are followed and what required forms mean and how they fit into the scheme of things. Also, explain the care and storage of forms and/or office materials. Be certain to emphasize important policies and procedures related to the handling of any confidential information or materials. Allow time for studying the office manuals, if applicable. Provide machine orientation as appropriate, including the telephone. Let the student employee know that you are there to help and to answer questions.

For a few student employees, working for you may be the first experience they have in a "real" employment setting. They may not ask questions so allow them a bit of time to learn about their job. If poor work habits are evident, speak to the student employee as soon as possible to correct the situation. If the student employee does not make acceptable improvement, see the section in this manual on termination. You should also explain call-in procedures for times when the student will be late or is unable to come to work. Many student employees who are working for the first time do not realize the importance of informing the supervisor if they are ill or have an important appointment.

After the orientation period, the student's work should continue to be monitored. Student employees should be given continual feedback on their performance in the beginning, just as a regular staff member should.

Break Policy

It is strongly suggested that student employees who work a four-hour block be allowed to take a fifteen-minute break (with pay) near the middle of their work period (more than one block worked will permit more than one break). It should be explained to the student employee that breaks cannot be deferred to a later work period and that breaks are not cumulative.