Hiring Student Employees
Student employment is a learning experience that complements a student’s academic and career goals. The student employee will benefit from the additional financial resources and gain valuable work experience. The University of Las Vegas, Nevada will benefit by meeting staffing needs to perform day-to-day operations.
Student Eligibility
Employment Guidelines
Student employment exists to support students in the pursuit of an academic degree. In order to ensure success, both in the classroom and on the job, balance is the key. Too many work hours may place a student's academic success at risk. Work with your student to allow ample time for classes and coursework. No work should be scheduled during student class time.
Limitations on student employment hours apply regardless of the number of student jobs a student has or the number of semester credits for which they are enrolled (i.e., enrolled in one class or full-time).
The following chart represents maximums for all hourly jobs combined:
| Student Employment Type | Per Day Maximum | Per Week Maximum | Term Breaks & Summer Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Hourly, Part-Time Only | 8 | 20 | 40 |
| Student Hourly, Work-Study Only* | 8 | 20 | 40 |
| International Students | 8 | 20 | 40 |
Ensure students take required breaks in accordance with state law:
- Rest period/s (paid):
- One 10-minute rest period if the employee works at least 3 1/2 continuous hours and less than seven (7) continuous hours.
- Two 10-minute rest periods if the employee works at least seven (7) continuous hours or more.
- Rest periods are not tracked in Workday.
- Meal period (unpaid):
- A minimum of a 30-minute uninterrupted meal period, for a continuous eight (8) hours of work.
- Lunch breaks must be taken by clocking out of Workday, and clocking back in once the break is complete.
The nepotism policy applies to all employees.
Work-Study students:
- Any time worked beyond the work-study allocation for the semester will be charged to the departmental, school, or unit operating budget.
Student Compensation
The student employment classification and compensation system establishes consistent hiring and pay practices for all student employees at the university. This system fulfils the university’s obligation as an equal opportunity employer.
Compensation and fringe benefit costs incurred for regular student employees are charged to the departmental, school, or unit’s operating budget.
| Job Level | Hourly Wage Range |
|---|---|
| Student Level I | $9.00 - $18.00 |
| Student Level II | $10.25 - $21.00 |
| Student Level III | $12.25 - $30.00 |
Each department should determine the student pay level by reviewing the following factors:
- Prior related work experience
- History of work experience in the department
- Range and complexity of duties
- Knowledge and skills required
- Equity, including the salary relationships with other student employees within the department
Time Entry & Payroll
Student employees are paid on an hourly basis and must record all time worked each day. Time must be approved by a supervisor, and submitted through Workday before payroll deadline dates.
- Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit in Workday
- Students not using direct deposit will receive their first paycheck by mail to the address on file.
- After the first check, employees will be issued a bank card for future payments
- The bank card will be mailed in a nondescript envelope by the bank
- An employee may switch from the bank card to direct deposit at any time by completing the direct deposit information in Workday
- Students are paid semi-monthly, on the 10th and 25th
- If the 10th or the 25th of each month falls on a weekend or a holiday, payroll will be ready the Friday before the weekend or the last working day before a holiday.
- Visit the NSHE Payroll Services website for all your payroll needs.
- Hours are not allowed to be deferred into future payment periods.
- If a student has only worked five (5) minutes for the pay period, the student must still be compensated
- Federal employment regulations require students to be paid for all time worked during the current payment period
- Student employee wages are subject to federal / state taxes and must be reported
- Paper timesheets may be used if a student does not have access to a computer or smartphone
- Department timekeepers or managers for the student still need to submit hours in Workday in compliance with payroll cutoff dates
- Keep copies of any paper timesheets and employment records for seven (7) years
- RebelDocs is available to help departments digitize these records
Report payroll information accurately and in a timely manner.
Special note: If you have a student employee that is also a Graduate Assistant, retroactive pay can not be processed. Therefore, an on demand payment will need to be requested for any time worked not submitted during the current pay period.
The following Workday resources are available to assist students with time entry:
The following resources are available to assist supervisors with managing time:
Student Lifecycle
Student employees are part-time hourly employees enrolled at the university for the primary purpose of achieving a degree. It teaches valuable skills such as applying to jobs, interviewing, onboarding, training, supervision, teamwork, achieving goals, and eventually offboarding.
Tips for Managing Students
In many instances, supervisors at UNLV will serve as a student’s first contact with the working world, developing that student’s perception of an effective work environment and a sense of job fulfillment. Supervisors provide the training, guidance, and instruction that student employees need to be successful.
Keep the following tips in mind when managing student employees:
- Expect and prepare for regular turnover. Most students will be at the university for two - four years, which means they might work for you for just one semester, or their entire academic career
- Have departing students train new student employees if possible
- Allow for flexible schedules
- A student’s primary focus should be their studies
- Try to support flexible schedules so students can work shifts around their classes
- Plan for lower workloads / productivity periods around midterms, final exams, and breaks, and increased hours and project activities during the summer months when students may work more hours
- Students are going through more than average life changes, significant identity development; career, personal and academic life decisions; and everything from homesickness to finding an apartment to a family crisis may pose a challenge
- You will be most effective if you familiarize yourself with available campus resources, and encourage your student staff to seek those as needed.
- Provide opportunities for students to do meaningful work. Students want to make a difference
- Offer support and constructive feedback, and they will bring their best
- Create a workplace that has room for fun and social interaction. This will make them likely to learn more and be more productive, while also enjoying working for you!
Resources and Contact
Contact
Human Resources Front Desk
702-895-3504
Travis Kalusa
Student Employment Specialist
702-895-3278
travis.kalusa@unlv.edu