APPROVED Jan. 2003

PURPOSE

This policy is intended to ensure consistency and timely submission of payroll from student employees. In accordance with state and federal labor laws, no payroll will be denied a student or any other worker that has completed the work as specified in their job description. Every effort will be made to ensure that payroll is processed in a timely fashion.

POLICY

1. It is the responsibility of the editor or general manager to determine the criteria for payment of each employee and to ensure that the specific criteria is explained to each employee in writing when they are hired. The criteria should spell out how much a person is paid and how (per hour, per week, per month, per shift, per item published, per assignment, etc.).
2. Regardless of whether or not they are paid by the project, by the hour or monthly, all students must complete a time sheet.
3. For all student employees, time sheets (CLICK HERE) must reflect hours and days worked. For students paid by the project, the time sheet must reflect the specific project by title, headline or in some other manner that the nature of the project is obvious. Technician editors are required to work a minimum of 35 hours per week. Other top editors and the WKNC general manager are required to work at least 20 hours per week. Each editor or general manager determines the minimum amount of time other student staff members must work to fulfill their obligations.
4. Anyone except the individuals appointed directly by the board will have their time sheets signed and approved by the appropriate editor/manager to ensure that each medium stays within budget for payroll. The publication’s adviser will sign the time sheet of individuals who are appointed directly by the board and therefore have their salaries set by the board to ensure they are completed accurately. Pay sheets will not be processed without the proper authorization.
5. Time sheets should be completed within the same pay period as the work, or within 30 days of completion of the work. It is to the employee’s benefit to turn time sheets in a timely fashion to avoid excessive taxation. To help ensure that students complete payroll in a timely fashion, time sheets that are turned in more than 30 days after completion of the work must be signed by that publication’s adviser. Editors/managers who turn in time sheets more than 30 days late must have their time sheets signed by the chair of the Student Media board.