Student Workers: Maximizing Work Hours, Productively

Many public universities offer student worker positions to provide students with financial support while they pursue their education. However, these positions typically come with hour limits to ensure that students maintain their primary status as students. Hour restrictions vary across universities and student statuses, and exceeding these limits can have implications for both the student and the university, including ineligibility for student employment and benefits eligibility. This article will explore strategies for students who wish to work beyond the hour limit at a public university, including understanding university policies, managing multiple jobs, and navigating benefits eligibility.

International students: visa limitations and maximum work hours

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically limited to working no more than 20 hours per week during academic periods and up to 40 hours during breaks and annual vacations. This includes all jobs, and the limit is non-negotiable due to immigration requirements. Students who violate this requirement may be terminated from their student employment and may even be in breach of their visa conditions.

International students on an F-1 visa are also eligible for off-campus employment under certain circumstances, such as emergent circumstances or unexpected economic hardship. In such cases, the Department of Homeland Security may temporarily lift the work hour restrictions.

In Australia, international students on a student visa can work unrestricted hours in the aged care sector until 31 December 2023. However, they must continue to balance their study and work commitments and ensure they meet their course's satisfactory progress requirements to remain compliant with their visa conditions.

It is important to note that the specific work hour limitations and visa conditions may vary depending on the country and the type of visa or work authorization the international student holds. Students should refer to their specific country's or university's guidelines and consult with the relevant offices, such as the Office of International Services or International Education, to ensure they comply with the applicable work hour restrictions.

Graduate assistants: additional work and combined hour limits

The University of Arizona allows student workers to work up to 25 hours per week during Fall and Spring semesters and up to 35 hours per week during the Summer and Spring breaks. However, it is not specified whether this applies to graduate assistants as well. The University of Washington mandates that student employees must be compensated at a rate of 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours exceeding 40 hours per week. Oregon State University has a similar limit of 20 or 24 hours per week, depending on the student's visa status.

Graduate assistants at the University of Maryland are allowed to work an additional 10 hours per week beyond their assistantship duties, provided they have overload approval. International students may have a limit on the number of hours they can work, depending on their visa status. UMass Amherst allows graduate assistants to take on additional work, but their combined work hours must not exceed 40 hours per week. Oregon State University also allows graduate assistants to supplement their positions with additional hourly work, provided the combined hours do not exceed 20 hours per week for international students and 0.49FTE per week for other students.

Benefits eligibility: health insurance and other benefits

Student worker positions are intended to support students in their education and are not typically benefits-eligible positions. However, in the United States, student workers may become eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if they work a certain number of hours. This threshold varies depending on the state and university. For example, at the University of Arizona, a student worker who averages 30 or more work hours per week over a one-year period will become eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance. Meanwhile, at Oregon State University, a student worker becomes eligible for benefits under the ACA if they work an average of 130 hours a month during the ACA look-back period, which is a 12-month period from October 1 to September 30.

It is important to note that international students may face different work hour restrictions due to visa limitations. For example, at Oregon State University, international graduate assistants are limited to a combined maximum of 20 hours per week for all their jobs.

In terms of other benefits, student workers at some universities may be eligible for unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). For instance, at the University of Arizona, student employees may be eligible for unpaid leave under certain circumstances, and they must follow the University's FMLA leave procedures to request this leave.

Additionally, student workers may be eligible for compensation beyond their regular pay. For example, at the University of Washington, student hourly employees are covered by mandatory overtime requirements and must be compensated at time and a half for all hours worked over 40 hours per week.

Furthermore, some universities offer student health plans, which can provide basic insurance coverage at an affordable rate. For example, the University of Texas at Austin offers the AcademicBlue Student Health Insurance Plan, which is available to undergraduate and graduate students who meet certain criteria.

Overall, while student workers are typically not considered benefits-eligible employees, there are certain circumstances in which they may become eligible for health insurance and other benefits, depending on the university and state regulations.

Multiple jobs: monitoring and logging hours

It is important to monitor and log your hours when working multiple jobs as a student worker at a public university to ensure you stay within the permitted work hour limits. The specific hour limits may vary depending on the university and your student status, so it is essential to be familiar with the policies of your specific institution. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you monitor and log your hours effectively:

• Understand the Hour Limits: Different universities have different regulations regarding the maximum number of hours student workers can work. For example, at the University of Arizona, student workers can work up to 25 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and up to 35 hours per week during the summer session, winter session, and spring break. If you hold multiple student jobs, the total hours across all positions must adhere to these limits.
• Monitor Hours Across Multiple Jobs: If you work multiple jobs, it's your responsibility to track your hours across all positions. For instance, at the University of Colorado Boulder, students with multiple jobs must ensure they don't exceed 25 hours per week or 50 hours per bi-weekly pay period during the academic year. This includes exam weeks, spring break, and winter break. In the summer, the limit is 40 hours per week or 80 hours per bi-weekly pay period.
• Supervisor and University Monitoring: While students are primarily responsible for tracking their hours, supervisors and the university may also have monitoring systems in place. For example, at Oregon State University, both students and supervisors are responsible for monitoring hours to ensure compliance with the maximum allowable hours. The university uses EmpCenter, which sends warning emails to students and supervisors when a student reaches 20 hours in a work week.
• International Student Considerations: International students may have different work hour restrictions due to visa limitations. For instance, at Oregon State University, international graduate assistants cannot exceed a combined total of 20 hours per week across all jobs due to visa restrictions.
• Consequences of Exceeding Limits: Working beyond the permitted hour limits can have consequences for both the student and the university. For example, at the University of Arizona, exceeding the work hour limits may result in a student no longer being eligible for student employment. Additionally, working more hours may trigger benefits eligibility, which the university wants to avoid.
• Overtime and Compensation: Understand the university's policies on overtime and compensation for multiple jobs. For instance, at the University of Washington, student hourly employees are covered by mandatory overtime requirements and must be compensated for time and a half for all hours worked over 40 hours per week.

By diligently monitoring and logging your hours across multiple jobs, you can ensure compliance with university policies and avoid any negative repercussions. Remember to stay informed about the specific regulations of your university and seek clarification from your supervisor or the student employment office if needed.

Breaks: paid and unpaid rest breaks

Breaks for student workers at public universities are subject to the same laws as those for regular employees. In the state of California, workers must receive an uninterrupted 30-minute unpaid meal break when working more than five hours in a day. This break can be waived by mutual consent for shifts of six hours or less. Additionally, a paid 10-minute rest period must be provided for every four hours worked.

For international students at Oregon State University, they are allowed to work a total of 20 hours per week during an academic term on campus. During breaks, they can work up to 40 hours per week. These students are subject to visa limitations and cannot exceed a combined 20 hours per week across all jobs.

At the University of Arizona, student workers may work up to 25 hours per week during the Fall and Spring Semesters, and up to 35 hours per week during the Summer and Spring Sessions. Student Residence Hall Assistants may work up to 15 hours per week in another student worker position. Student workers are not eligible for benefits, and the university advises departments to observe the Allowable Work Hours policy regardless of a student worker's course schedule.

The University of Washington's student employees are covered by mandatory overtime requirements and must be compensated for all hours worked over 40 hours per week at time and a half.

It is important to note that the policies and regulations regarding work hours and breaks for student workers may vary depending on the university and the state in which it is located. Students should refer to their specific university's policies and local labor laws to understand their rights and entitlements regarding rest breaks.

Frequently asked questions