ACADEMIC YEAR
During the academic year, there is no limit on the number of hours per week that a student may work (international students may work only 20 per week during the academic year). We encourage departments to use caution before scheduling students to work full-time. Students are here primarily to complete their degree program. The need for some students to be employed should not compromise their progress toward the fulfillment of his/her degree requirements. Students normally should not be assigned to regular staff positions or assigned to work overtime, particularly where these issues are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. If you have questions about whether the work you plan to assign to a student could cause problems, please contact Employee Relations at 989.774.3271.
NON-ENROLLMENT PERIODS*
During periods of non-enrollment (summer, spring break, semester break), all students may work up to forty hours a week.
*Thanksgiving does not count as a non-enrollment period.
HOLIDAYS
Student employees required to work on a holiday will be paid at their regular rate of pay. Students not required to work on a holiday will not be paid for the holiday.
MEAL BREAKS
Student employees who are working for more than six hours at a time should be provided a minimum of one-half hour unpaid meal break around the normal meal period.
REST BREAKS
Student employees* shall normally be entitled to a rest period of not more than fifteen minutes for each consecutive 4 hours worked. Rest periods should be taken at a time and in a manner that does not interfere with the efficiency of the work unit. The rest period is intended to be a break preceded and followed by an extended work period. It may not be used to cover the employee’s late arrival at work or early departure, nor may it be regarded as cumulative if not taken.
*minors must be given a 30 minute break for every 4 hours of work.
OTHER
Students will not be paid for time they do not work.
OVERTIME
Student employees must be paid at one and one half times their hourly rate for every hour worked in excess of forty (40) hours in a week. It is rare that student employees would be required to work overtime.