Having a list of workplace expectations is an excellent start to a great working relationship between you and your student employees.  You are letting them know exactly what is expected of them during their time with you and you're also allowing for introspective discussion to take place between employer and employee.  Remember, you're not just an employer, you're also their mentor.  You're teaching them valuable transferable skills that they will take with them!

Step 1: What You're Expecting and Why

The first step in developing your list of expectations is determine key functions in your office.  Consult with other staff
members who will be interacting with your student employees for their input.

Consider:   

• What skills and training are needed to do a job in your department?
• What are your policy and procedures for regular FT employees?

Expectations may include issues such as:

• confidentiality
• customer service
• phone skills
• computer skills
• heavy lifting
• running errands
• work schedules
• chain of command
• dress code
• work environment
• absences
• grade point average

Step 2:  Complete Your Contract

Using your list of expectations, you're ready to complete your contract. Remember to make it positive incorporating the student's value and contribution to the work place. While it's important to be firm, it's more important to be tactful. This contact is a learning tool and we want to make sure the students not only read it, but understand it and learn from it as well.

For a sample workplace expectations contract, click here.