Culinary Services Student Handbook Spring 2024

In order to provide a safe space for both our employees & customers, Culinary Services has made changes to the following policies:

• Safety Work Rules

• Ohio University Be Safe Bobcats - Coronavirus Information Website

• Attendance Policy

• Uniform Policy

New AND returning employees should carefully read through these guidelines. Please know that, as the semester progresses, additional changes may need to be made. Please contact a member of your venue's management team if you have any questions. 

Mission - 

The mission of Culinary Services is to proactively ensure exceptional, customer focused services, proudly delivered by an engaged, dedicated team.

Culinary Services is committed to standing for Social Justice & Equity on the Ohio University campus. As a student employee of Culinary Services, you will be expected to adhere to the following core values - 

Actively contributes as a staff member of a department and division that upholds the framework of equity and social justice. Encourage both employees and patrons to view themselves as having the potential to make meaningful contributions and to be engaged in their communities. Advocate for awareness, understanding and the diversity and inclusion of all people in Culinary Services, programs and communication while providing a commitment to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. Advocate for the educational and cultural benefits of providing diversity and inclusion in all areas of your position and department.

New Pay Information For Fall 2024 

Level 1 $11.00 per hour

• Cafes/Markets/West 82

Level 2 $12.00 per hour

• The District/Nelson Dining Court/Central Food Facility 

Level 3 $13.25 per hour

• Dishroom/Pots and Pans/Catering/Latitude 39 Servers & Bartenders 

Level 4 $14.00 per hour

• Student Leaders/Office Assistants/Hiring Managers/FoodPro Assistants*

Level 5 $14.75 per hour

• Student leaders/Office Assistants/Hiring Managers/FoodPro Assistants**

Level 6 $15.00 per hour

• Student Coordinators/Latitude 39 Cooks 

Level 7 $16.50 per hour

• Interns

*In-training 

**Who have completed/passed the Student Leader class 

Please see your specific venue page to check pay level information.

Please note: Future updates to State and/or Federal law may necessitate pay changes at any time. Also, Ohio University may institute a pay freeze due to state budget conditions.

All student employees are strongly encouraged to sign up for direct deposit. Please note that depending on the date you start your job, you may not receive your first paycheck for four weeks. After the first paycheck has been received, you will receive your pay every other week. Please refer to the Payroll Calendar, which you may access above. 

Semester Raises & Promotional Opportunities

After working one semester, a student may earn a .20/hr raise. Students will continue earning raises until they reach the pay level maximum. In order to be eligible for the raise, the student employee must meet all of the following requirements:

1.        Started work prior to the end of the fifth week of the semester

2.        Zero no call no shows

3.        No late call-offs

4.        Worked two or more shifts during finals week (Employees that work only one shift a week are exempt)

5.        No more than one strike per semester

6.        No safety violations

The venue manager has the final say on all raises and promotions.

If you have any disputes or concerns about your raise, they must be submitted to your supervisor within 4 weeks of the start of the semester.

Student employees who resign or do not sign up for hours the next semester will be rehired at the base rate of pay. However, students who participate in school related activities that might take them off campus for an extended period, such as: internships, study abroad, etc. will have their accrued raises carry over. For example: a student has worked three semesters and is earning $10.00/hr. at level 1 and leaves to study abroad. When the student returns, they will still earn $10.00/hr.

Summer Semester Pay Raises 

As a general guideline, students that work a minimum of 40 hours over the course of the two summer sessions will receive a $0.20 semester raise. It is the student's responsibility to inform their home venue that they have met this hour minimum. 

Students must be enrolled in classes at Ohio University or a local area secondary school during the normal academic year in order to meet Culinary Services’ employment requirements. 

• Undergraduate Student (Minimum - six credit hours)

• Graduate Student (Minimum – five credit hours)

• Hocking College Student (Minimum - six credit hours)

After a student graduates, they may continue to work based on the schedule outlined below (subject to change per Ohio University Human Resources):

• Fall Semester Graduates: last day of work will be the last day of Winter Break 

• Spring Semester Graduates: last day of work will be the end of 1st Summer Session 

• End of 1st Summer Session Graduates: last day of work will be end of 2nd Summer Session 

• End of 2nd Summer Session or end of full Summer Session Graduates: last day of work will be September 30. 

Hour Minimum:

• Student Employees are required to work a minimum of 4 hours per week or 8 hours per two week pay period 

  • Exceptions: Catering student employees - please speak to a Student Leader or Coordinator

Hour Maximum (Fall & Spring Semesters):

• Student Employees & Student Leaders may work up to 25 hours per week 

• Student Coordinators & Interns may work up to 28 hours per week

• International students may work up to 20 hours per week

• If a student employee works multiple jobs at Ohio University, they must count the hours worked at the other job as part of the 25 hours per week maximum.

No student, per University policy, is allowed to exceed an average of 28 hours per week for the entire academic year. 

Hour Maximum (Summer):

• Student Employees & Student Leaders may work up to 35 hours per week 

• Student Coordinators & Interns may work up to 32 hours per week

• International students may work up to 36 hours per week (if students are enrolled in classes; students not enrolled in summer classes may work up to 28 hours)

  • Per ISSS guidance, international students are approved to work 36 hours at any point school is not in session (summer break, spring break, winter break, etc.). 

• If a student employee works multiple jobs at Ohio University, they must count the hours worked at the other job as part of the 35 hours per week maximum

Please note, students are not guaranteed to work their maximum number of hours during any academic or non-academic periods and will be scheduled based on operational needs. 

Please note, students are not guaranteed to work their maximum number of hours during any academic or non-academic periods and will be scheduled based on operational needs. 

Per Federal Law international student employees may work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year. During the summer break, students may work up to 25 hours per week. If an international student employee works multiple jobs at Ohio University, they must count the hours worked at the other job as part of the 20 or 25 hours per week maximum. This includes GA, TA and any other academic appointed student jobs.  

Positive Points

Students may receive positive points for going above and beyond in the workplace. These positive points may be used to earn various rewards based on the specific policies of your venue, such as a strike removal or a free meal. Please check with your venue manager to learn about a positive reward program. 

Student Meals

One of the added benefits of working with Culinary Services is the opportunity to enjoy free meals, if they work a minimum of a 4 hour shift, within their venue. Students may eat before or after (not during) their assigned shift or when deemed appropriate by their manager. All student employee meals must be recorded prior to eating them. 

For specific information on student meals in your venue, please see the appropriate venue page. 

BYOV (Bring Your Own Vessel)

When a student brings their own drinking vessel (with a lid & labeled) during their shift, we offer them 1 positive point. The student can report to the appropriate student management team member in order to ensure the positive point is logged. 

Student Employee of the Month

Each month, the managers and student leaders select a student employee from each venue as the “Student Employee of the Month.” These are students who have demonstrated exceptional work performance. For specific reward details, please contact your unit manager.

Slip Resistant Shoe Initiative

All student employees are highly encouraged to wear slip resistant shoes.  Other than greatly reducing your risk of slipping at work, Culinary Services will provide the following incentives for wearing slip resistant shoes. It is your responsibility to let the student leaders or managers of your respective venue know that you are wearing slip resistant shoes for each shift worked.

If you already wear slip resistant shoes (in good condition) or purchase slip resistant shoes by your first day of work, show a student leader or manager at the start of your shift and receive: 2 free meal tickets and 10 positive points

If you purchase slip resistant shoes by your first paycheck, you will receive: 1 free meal ticket and 5 positive points

If you replace after 3-6 months with proof of purchase, you will receive: 1 free meal ticket and 5 positive points

Purchase Options:

Student Employee Call-Off Policy 

We value the health & safety of our student employees & customers within our venues. In order to operate effectively, all employees must only report to work if they are healthy. If you are sick & unable to successfully & safely perform your job duties, please notify your place of employment at least one hour in advance. Depending on your symptoms, the process for returning to work may vary.  

• Absences due to class events or University approved functions will be excused with documentation provided prior to the absence

• Positive points & the sub board should be utilized to have all other absences excused and/or covered by other employees  

Personal Day

• Each student is given one free personal day per semester. This allows employees one excused call off without providing a doctor's note or other documentation. 

The following outlines the rules and regulations when using the personal day: 

• Each student employee receives one personal day per semester 

• Personal days may not be used during double strike days, finals week, commencement, or homecoming

• Students need to inform the venue at the time of their call off that they intend to use their personal day

  • Students will be required to follow all venue call off procedures to be granted use of the personal day

• Please refer to venue page for specific Personal Day information

• The use of cell phones is absolutely prohibited while clocked in for a shift with Culinary Services. This policy is in place to maintain proper food safety and sanitation, as well as provide our customers with the best possible service

• Students who violate this policy will immediately receive a strike

• If there is an emergency situation where you need to have access to your phone, please speak to a manager at the start of your shift

• Phones should remain either in a pocket or locked in a locker for the entire duration of your shift

• Headsets, ear buds or other personal electronic devices are prohibited in all work areas and while clocked in for work (per Safety Work Rules)

The Three Strike System

Student employees begin their employment with zero strikes, and have the opportunity to begin each semester with a clean slate. When an employee reaches three strikes in one semester, they must speak with a manager, and could potentially be dismissed. 

Here within Culinary Services we strive to be fair and equal. We have worked alongside many directors and managers to create our Three-Strike System. At times, these systems do not include specific situations or circumstances. We do our best to be flexible and understanding. We ask that you do the same. We value your employment with us. 

Ohio University Culinary Services has defined three levels of inappropriate behavior. Level three violations are behaviors that will result in three strikes and immediate termination. Level two violations will result in two strikes and level one violations will result in one strike (such as playing explicit music or using explicit language). Call offs during fest weekends or special weekends are double strike violations. 

Level One Violations (1 strike) 

· Ten to 40 minutes late (Second offense) 

· Using cell phone or any portable electronic device 

· Clocking in, out of uniform 

· Not meeting dress code 

· Failure to clock out before taking a 30 minute break 

· Clocking in early or clocking out late without a manager’s permission

· Violating your venue's call off policy (late call off)

· Signing your name to the sub list and then removing it from the sub list without finding a qualified substitute 

· Violating a safety policy

· Poor work performance

· Incorrect portioning of food 

· Sitting down on the job, or leaning behind serving lines 

· Failure to wear plastic gloves when touching food 

· Register sale violations (e.g. ringing up a product incorrectly, not scanning all products on the order, etc.)

· Gum chewing, smoking, chewing tobacco, vaping 

· Failure to have Ohio University ID (second offense) 

Level Two Violations (2 strikes) 

Employees who have two strikes in one semester will not receive the .20/hr raise until they have worked a complete semester with one or less strike. 

· Student workers exceeding 25 hours per week during the academic year (First offense). (28 for coordinators, 20 hours per week international students - per Federal Law)

· Signing your name to the sub list and then removing it from the sub list without finding a qualified substitute (Second offense) 

· Throwing food or horseplay 

· Eating without presenting a meal card to a checker or manager, or not notifying management before eating

· Disrespecting a customer

· Showing disrespect towards any co-worker or manager 

· Negligent job performance or insubordination 

· Multiple No Call No Shows

Level Three Violations (3 strikes) 

Immediate Termination 

· Theft

· Student workers exceeding 25 hours per week during the academic year (Second offense) (28 for Coordinators, 20 hours per week for International Students)

· Working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol 

· Unauthorized alteration to work hours on Workforce 

· Vandalism 

· Letting people into the service lines without paying cash or without a valid ID 

· Giving away food without collecting payment 

· Fighting or any type of physical violence 

· Verbally abusing a customer, manager or any University employee 

· Sexual harassment or any other type of harassment (students will be referred to the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility)

· Leaving a shift early without permission from a Student Leader, Coordinator or Manager

Ultimately, if a member of our management team believes that you are not meeting the expectations of our mission, you will be terminated from your employment with Culinary Services.

Poor Work Performance - Written Warnings 

Culinary Services provides an environment in which our student workers can grow and thrive in their professional pursuits. Students notified either verbally that their job performance is lacking or given a written warning.

After a written warning is issued, a student leader can: 

1.        Give the employee another chance to perform the job properly. 

2.        Dismiss the employee from the shift. 

3.        Move the employee to another job. 

NOTE TO STUDENT LEADERS: Work performance is used by many venues as a form of reference for future positions. Therefore, all written warnings must contain a written explanation, including the date, time and details of why the employee is receiving the written warning along with suggestions for improvement. Please include any and all relevant information and details, no matter how minor. 

Pending Termination 

Employees who have been placed on pending termination are given three (3) days from the time of the absence to speak to a full time manager within their venue. The student may express their reasoning behind missing their shift and why they believe they should retain their employment. The student may reach out per unit managers discretion. 

Appeals System 

If a student feels that they has been unfairly reprimanded, they may submit a written appeal within a week of the disciplinary action and provide it to the venue’s general manager. If the general manager feels that there is enough evidence supporting the appeal, a hearing will be scheduled. 

The student employee who is appealing the written warning is required to attend the hearing. They are encouraged to invite witnesses who will support their claim. The appealing student employee will then explain to the group why they feel that the written warning or strike is unfair. 

After all testimony is heard, the general manager will consult with the student leaders and other management to render a decision. The written warning or strike stands if the appealing student employee fails to show for the hearing. 

All student employees are asked to give Culinary Services a minimum two-week written notice before officially leaving their position. This ensures that the student will be eligible for rehire in the future and leave in good standing. Any student who resigns with less than three weeks left in the semester will not be eligible for rehire with Ohio University Culinary Services and will forfeit all raises earned. Failure to provide Culinary Services with the necessary two weeks’ notice (or two consecutive no-shows) will result in the final paycheck being paid at the minimum wage.