Important Phone Numbers

• Union Street: 865-7623   
Use this number when calling before 8:30 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and any time on weekends.

• Union Street Student Employment Office: 865-8740

Otto's Cafe:  863-6886, Blue Chip Bistro:  863-8805,    Java Markets:  865-0975:  Use this number when calling between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Qualifications for Employment

• Must be a student with full-time status. (12 credits for undergraduate and 9 credits for graduate. You cannot be on an assistantship.) If you fall below full–time status, you must inform us. We can only employ full-time students.

• We do not hire for work-study.

• Students under 18 years of age are required to provide working papers.

• In order to be employed, you must provide a driver’s license, state I.D., or military I.D. along with a Social Security card and savings or checking account information. International students will need to provide a passport and paperwork, which can be obtained from the International Affairs Office in 422 Boucke Building.

Scheduling

• The shifts that you are given are permanent shifts and you are expected to work them through the last day of classes.

• The work week begins on Sunday and ends on the following Saturday.

• Your work schedule is limited to 20 hours per week. This time is cumulative, which means it includes any time worked in other departments at the University. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIMIT IS NOT EXCEEDED.

• There will be times when you will be permitted to work more than 20 hours a week. These times include Spring Break, Semester Breaks, and summer sessions. Be sure to check with a Student Manager before you work over 20 hours. Working over 20 hours without management permission is grounds for dismissal.

•All student employees will be required to work a minimum of two shifts per week during the semester.

• Employees working in the fall semester are required to work one home football game shift.

• All employees will be scheduled based upon operational needs. We cannot guarantee shifts.

• All crew leaders are expected to return to work one week prior to the start of classes.  This only applies to summer and winter breaks.  You will not receive crew leader status if you fail to return early.

• You may be temporarily moved during your permanent shift to another area due to scheduling needs.

Final Exams

Training

• Formal training sessions will be held for all barista positions.
 
• On-the-job training will be provided for all other positions.

Contact List

Bulletin Boards

• The bulletin boards at Union Street are located in the basement by the locker rooms.  Blue Chip's bulletin boards are located in the kitchen.

• The Student Managers will maintain several bulletin boards to notify you of meetings, training sessions, sub notices, extra hours, changes/clarifications of policies, job opportunities, and other pertinent information.

• YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEING AWARE OF AND COMPLYING WITH ALL POSTED NOTICES.

• Visit our Web site for policy updates and/or changes.

Locker Rooms

• The locker rooms at Union Street are located in the basement.  The lockers at Blue Chip are located in the hallway.

• You are required to bring in your own lock.

• Locks need to be removed daily.

• You may not keep items in the locker after your shift.  It is not your personal locker. There are not enough lockers for everyone to have his or her own personal locker.

• There are regularly scheduled times after hours that any locks left on the lockers will be cut off.

• Union Street is not responsible for belongings left in the locker rooms during operating hours.

Student Employee Uniforms

• All jewelry should be kept to a minimum: wedding bands, class rings, earrings - should be small and simple.  Hoop earrnigs should be no larger than a quarter.  Earrings are limited to one (1) earring per ear.  Facial jewelry is restricted to two (2) non hoops, non dangling post style only.  This includes tongue piercing.  All others need to be removed before punching in. 

• Nails must be clean and without nail polish.

• Hats or visors must be worn at all times.  Hats must be worn face-front.

• Hair must be restrained and pulled behind the ears.  In some instances employees may be asked to wear a hair net in addition to their hat or visor.

• Facial hair is permitted but must be neatly trimmed an no longer than 1/4 inch in length.  (See facial hair policy)

• Your shirt must be clean, in good repair and must be tucked in at all times while punched in.  Please DO NOT fold your shirt under, it needs to be tucked in!

• You must wear your name tag.

• Some units may require you to wear an apron.

• You are allowed to wear blue, black, khaki plain style pants/slacks or jeans only, no extras.  No cargo, leather or sweat pants of any style.  If you question them, do not wear them!  All pants must fit properly, be professional in appearance and not be tucked into boots.

• For your safety and comfort, sturdy shoes (closed in toes and heels) are required.  A non-slip tread is recommended, such as clean, comfortable tennis shoes.

• The following are not acceptable:

– shorts
– skirts
– 3/4 length pants (capri pants)
– sweatpants
– overalls
– nylon or spandex pants
– pants that drag on the floor
– open-toe/open-heel shoes

• Some units require special dress as follows:

– Chick-fil-A: Jeans are not permitted. You are required to wear either black or Khaki pants and a Chick-fil-A shirt, visor/hat, and apron.

-Catering:  Black pants and black shoes.

Inclement Weather

• In the event that the University is under any delay, you will still be required to report to work at your regularly scheduled time.

• If the University cancels classes but does not officially close, you must still report to work.

• If the University officially closes for the day, you will not be required to report to work.

• Stay tuned to the official PSU radio station (WPSU 91.5), or your local station for updates.

• If you are unsure when to report to work, call the student employment office.

Other Important Information

• The telephones in the offices are not to be used for personal calls. Ask a Manager if you need to make an emergency local call.

• You are not allowed to receive personal calls while working. Please advise your friends not to call you here.

• Alcoholic beverages and drugs are not permitted.  Anyone under the influence of these chemicals will not be allowed to work and is subject to dismissal.

• Profanity is not to be used and will not be tolerated.

• No cell phones, ipods or other electronic devices are permitted in the work place.

Sexual Harassment Policy

Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination based upon sex. Sexual harassment can be verbal, physical, or both. Some examples include: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, unwelcome touching of a person's hair, body, or clothing, repeatedly asking one out for a date, and making disparaging remarks regarding a person's body or gender.

Penn State has an obligation to provide a work environment free of sexual harassment and intimidation. If you feel you have been harassed in any manner, please contact your Manager immediately. Penn State keeps all matters regarding harassment confidential and actively investigates all allegations of harassment. Appropriate disciplinary action, including termination, will be taken if it is determined that sexual harassment has occurred.

Smoking

• Smoking is not permitted in any building on campus.

• Smoking is permitted only during regularly scheduled break times and only in designated areas.

Facial Hair Policy Guidelines

• Keep your face clean.  All beards and goatees must be neatly trimmed, kept clean and no longer than 1/4".

• Employees must be clean-shaven around the beard, mustache and/or goatee.  Scruffy is NOT acceptable.

• Sideburns are permitted if neatly trimmed.  Sideburns must not extend below the earlobes.

• Employees forgetting to shave that morning will not use the excuse "I'm growing a beard or goatee today".  Either you have a beard/goatee or your don't therefore must be clean-shaven.

• Employees with beard or goatees not neatly trimmed or clean, and/or longer than 1/4" will be asked to clock out, and trim it.  (This will count as either tardiness or a work absence, if employee misses their clock-in time).

• Management has the right to determine if an employee's beard, goatee or mustache is scruffy and unacceptable.  We understand that there will be a "growing period" for beards/goatees.  If employees can do this during their days off or during a closedown period to minimize the "scruffy" growing stage of a beard or goatee, it is appreciated.  However, if this is not possible, employees are incouraged to inform their manager they are "growing" a beard/goatee, so they are not mistaken for being "scruffy" and unshaven that day.

•Employees with beards, goatees and mustaches must wash their hands or change their gloves after touching their facial hair while working with food or serving food.  Food sanitation practices are still in place.

•Remember, if you or your co-workers abuse this new guideline, Food Services will discontinue the trial period and go back to "No beards or goatees are acceptable".

Sanitation and Personal Hygiene

– before starting work
– after using the restroom
– when changing jobs
– when returning from a break
– after covering your mouth to sneeze or cough

• Chewing gum, tobacco, and toothpicks are not allowed while working.

• Plastic gloves are to be worn whenever necessary to comply with HACCP guidelines.

Call Off Procedure

If you work at Union Street you must call off to a Student Manager in the Student Employment Office at 865-8740 if you are calling between the hours of 8:30AM-5PM, Monday - Friday. If you are calling before or after these hours, or on the weekend, you should call 865-7623 and ask for the manager in charge (or tech service worker on Saturdays). Only Management and Student Managers can accept call offs.

    -If you work at Blue Chip, you must call 863-8805 and 

     then the Student Employment Office.

    -If you work at Java, you must call 865-0975 and then

     the Student Employment Office.

•Make sure you get the name of the person you spoke  

to.

•You must call off at least one hour before your shift.

Calls will only be taken for the day of the shift.

•Calls will only be accepted from you, your doctor, or a

family member. Calls from roommates will only be   

accepted in emergency situations.

When you call you must give the following information:

•your name

•your shift and position

•the reason for your absence


It is your responsibility to take the name of the person you speak with in case the message does not get relayed. We may call and ask who you spoke with if we do not receive your call off.

•Call offs on voice mail will not be accepted.

•Call offs to students (other than the Student Managers)

will not be accepted.

•Call offs should be limited to illness or emergency.  Excessive call offs (typically three or more) may result in disciplinary action or termination.

•If you are terminating your employment and call off

during your two week notice, it will result in no rehire

status.

•If you call off from a shift on two-week notice for permanents shifts, your two-week notice will be delayed for a week. You MUST work the shift twice on a two-week notice for permanent shifts before it will be removed from your schedule.

•If you call off during holiday policy, a student manager

will assign you two shifts.

•Whenever you call off or are excused from a shift, you

are required to make it up.

Make Up Policy

•Make up shifts must be worked within three weeks of

your absence.

•If you do not work your make-up shift within this three-

week period, you will receive one warning. You will

continue to receive one warning each week until you

make up the shift.

•When you bring a sub note to the Student Manager’s

office to have it excused, you must pick up your make

up shift at that time, if possible.

•Your make up shift does not need to be the same

number of hours or the same unit as the shift you were

excused from. However, if you called off or were

excused from a shift on the weekend, then you must

make up your shift on the weekend or Late Night.

•To pick up a make up shift you can:

      •check the Sub Book and see if you can work for

        someone else.

       •check the Extra Hours Board located outside of the

        locker rooms at Union Street or outside the kitchen 

        at Blue Chip.

•As soon as you sign up for extra hours or sub shifts, you are NOT allowed to erase your name. Erasing your name and not showing up for a shift will be counted as a NO SHOW.

•It is your responsibility to keep track of the number of make up shifts you owe, as well as the dates you make them up in case there are any discrepancies between your records and our records.

•Even if you receive warnings for not picking/making up your shift, you are still required to make it up.

•Shifts that are not made up will be carried over to the following semester. If you do not return in the next semester, your rehire status will be affected pending your make up shifts.

Substitution Policy - Union Street & Blue Chip

•Days off are to be requested at least ONE week in advance.

•A request does not guarantee time off. You should make every effort to cover your shift(s).

•Go to the Student Manager’s office and fill out the Sub Book for the day you would like to request off.

•Ask Coworkers if they will pickup your sub.

•Periodically check with the Student Managers to see if someone has signed up to work your shift (if it has been picked up). If you cannot make it into the office, you may call the Employment Office during office hours.

•If someone picks up your sub and works it for you, you do not need to make up that shift.

•Two business days before the day you need off, come to the Student Managers office to see if the shift has been picked up. If not, you will need to get a note to be reviewed and signed by the Unit Manager.

•If you attempt to have your shift excused less than two business days before the date of the shift, you will receive a warning and the shift may not be excused due to the lateness of your request.

•If you want to pick up a shift to work for someone, come to the Student Manager’s office to sign up for it in the Sub Book.

•Make sure that you keep in mind the Student Employment Office hours; you will only be able to post a shift in the Sub Book or pick up a shift between 8:30AM and 5:00PM Monday through Friday.

Holiday Policy

•Holidays include traditional holidays (such as Thanksgiving, Labor Day, etc…) but may also include University related events (such as Homecoming, Dance Marathon and Home Football games, etc…).

•The Holiday Policy states that calling off during holiday policy will result in two make up shifts that will be assigned by the Student Managers.

•Holiday Policy will be in effect for one business day before and one business day after each holiday, closedown, or special event.

•Signs may be posted to remind you of days when the Holiday Policy will be in effect, however, If signs are not posted, it does not mean the policy is not in effect. Please check with the Student Employment Office if you are not sure if the policy is in effect.

Payroll

•You will be paid by direct deposit (you must have a checking/savings account). If you do not have a checking or savings account, the Penn State Federal Credit Union (located upstairs in the HUB) will open a savings account for you. To open an account you will need $5.00 (this must stay in your account).

•You will be paid every two weeks. You may pick up your pay-stubs on Friday in the Student Employment office.

A schedule of pay-periods and pay-dates can be obtained from the Student Managers.

Time Clock & ID Cards

•In order to be paid, you must clock in and out with your student ID card.

•If you forget your student ID card, report directly to your unit and have the manager or technical service employee initial your time in and out on the schedule and note that you forgot your ID card.

•You are to clock in at the exact time you are scheduled and report to your assigned area. You are to clock out as soon as you are released from your work area.

•When clocking in, you need to press the unit button you are working in before swiping your card. To clock out you just need to swipe your card, do not punch a unit button.

•You must have a tech service employee or a Unit Manager initial any time changes on the unit’s schedule.

Drink Privileges

•You are entitled to a free drink at the end of each shift. You may have any size soda, coffee, tea, bottled water or bottled milk. You may not have espresso drinks, juice or frozen drinks.

•You must get the drink at the end of your shift while still in uniform. You may not leave and return later in the day to get your drink.

•You are also permitted to get a drink at your unit during your shift using the 6 oz. cups provided. You must drink only in the approved areas in each unit.

Merit Increases

At the middle of each Fall and Spring semester, the Management staff reviews each employee’s record, to determine if they are eligible for a merit increase.

The following criteria has been established for consideration for a wage increase:

•no warnings

•no more than one call off

•no make-up shifts pending

•attendance/punctuality

•outstanding work performance

•History of satisfactory performance

•worked one football shift (Applies to fall semester only)

•Students must be on the payroll for a minimum of six weeks to be eligible for a wage increase.

Advancement

Employees interested in obtaining a position with more responsibility, such as a crew leader, student scheduler, or student manager, should notify the Unit Managers or Student Managers of their interest and submit an application.

Student Employee of the Semester

During the Fall and Spring semesters, a committee made up of Managers and tech service employees is formed to select a student of the semester.

The criteria for student of the semester is as follows:

•no warnings

• no more than one call-off

• no make-up shifts pending

• excellent customer service

• attendance and punstuality

• attitude and cooperation

• work performance (quality and quantity)

• displays initiative, productivity, and creativity

• adheres to the dress code

• makes special contributions to the job



The student employee of the semester will be presented the award at the student appreciation party.

Work Schedules

You must submit a returning application for each semester. If you fail to do this by the deadlines posted, you will not only
lose your seniority but you will be taken back to the “new hire” pay rate.

Disciplinary Action

Continued employment is based upon your requirements to fulfill your job responsibilities. Student Union Food Services is under no obligations to continue the employment of any employee. Warnings may result from, but are not limited to:

One Warning:

•Failure to follow proper call-off procedures

          • Calling off less than one hour before a shift

          • Calling off on voice mail

• Failure to work a make up shift within the three week period (if you fail to work a make up shift, you will receive one warning for each consecutive week until you make up your shift)

• Scheduling yourself to work a make-up shift or an extra shift during the same time you have a permanently scheduled shift

• Eating while on the time clock (food you purchased)

• Dress code violation

• Tardiness

• Failure to work one home football game shift

• Excessive failure to punch in with your student ID

• Clocking in early and/or clocking out late without a Manager’s permission (padding the time clock)

• Clocking in/out when not in uniform

• Negative attitude and/or failure to cooperate with Management or co-workers


• Failure to sub your shift one week in advance

• Failure to get a sub excused two business days in advance

• Failure to pick up and sign your work schedule for the semester by the deadline

• Any other infraction of proper conduct deemed necessary by management

Two Warnings:

• Smoking on the premises

•Calling off for an inexcusable reason (anything other than illness, i.e. studying)

• Failing to follow safety or sanitation practices

• Use of profanity or obscene gestures

• Any other infractions of proper conduct deemed necessary by Management

• Unauthorized breaks

Three Warnings:

These actions can lead to automatic probation and/or termination.

• Not showing up for a shift without calling

• Theft or destruction of services, products, or property from Penn State, Student Union Food Services, its employees, or customers

• Possession, use of, or working while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs

• Excessive tardiness and/or absences

• Calling off during two week notice for full employment

• Working more than 20 hours per week during the Fall or Spring semester, or working more than 40 hours per week during the Summer or any week that is not a full week of classes

•Posting a sub and then calling off sick when the sub was not filled

• Failure to work the extra hours assigned at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.

•Failure to attend a mandatory meeting or training without prior authorization

• Any other infraction of proper conduct deemed necessary by Management

After receiving three warnings, you will be placed on probation. At this time you will be notified that you need to sign a probation letter. Regardless of whether or not you sign this letter, you will still be on probation. This means that if you receive one more warning, you will be terminated.

Employment Status

•No Rehire Status: You receive this if you are terminated (which includes quitting without notice and failure to work out a two-week notice). You will not be able to work for the University for at least one year.

• Rehire Status: You can re-apply if you complete a two-week notice or work through Finals Week of the semester.

• Returning Employees: If you leave in good standing and want to return the following semester, just submit an application. You will be scheduled based on seniority. Students who ended their employment with a two-week notice or who are not working consecutive semesters will lose their seniority when they return.

Crew Leader

The following criteria is needed to become a crew leader at Union Street:

•Must have completed one full semester of work at Union Street.

• Must have a good attendance record.

•Must be knowledgeable in all stations in work area.

•Availability must fit manager’s needs in work area.
Crew Leader shirts are only to be worn when you are the actual crew leader in charge. If you are working any shift where you are not the crew leader in charge, you must wear the regular Union Street uniform.

•Must be willing to teach and mentor other employees.
Crew Leader must re-apply each semester for the Crew Leader position.

•Must work a minimum of 12 hours in the unit for which you are applying.

•You must be able to commit to extra hours when needed, this will include semester start-ups, finals week and special events.

•There is a 4 week probationary period for new crew leaders. At the end of the probationary period, your manager will review your performance with you.

•All Crew leaders will be evaluated at the end of every semester.

Applying for Crew Leader

•Obtain an application from the Student Employment office.

•Once you have filled it out and returned it to the Student Employment office, you will be notified by the unit manager to set up an interview.

Crew Leader Substitutions

•All Crew Leader substitutions must be approved by the unit manager.