Time

Work Hours

Fall and Spring Semesters

Student employees may work up to 20 hours per week for all campus jobs combined during the fall and spring semesters. This policy encourages students to maintain a solid focus on their academic program and promotes their academic success.

Summer Semester

• Student employees may work up to 40 hours per week for all campus jobs combined during the summer semester. This applies even if the student is enrolled and actively taking classes during the summer semester.

Foreign National Students

• International students in lawful F-1 and J-1 status may work up to 20 hours per week on campus when classes are in session during the fall and spring terms, and over 20 hours per week during official University academic break periods and over the summer term. All eligible international students must first obtain approval from the Office of International Student & Scholar Services prior to starting any type of employment.

Official University Breaks

• Student employees are eligible to work up to 40 hours per week for all jobs combined during official University breaks.

• Official breaks include spring break, Thanksgiving break and the days falling between commencement and the beginning of the subsequent semester.

Important: All hours worked over 40 in a designated workweek are paid at the overtime rate of 1 ½ times the student employee’s hourly rate of pay.

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Accurate Time Reporting

• Student employee jobs are FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) designated as non-exempt. Therefore, accurate daily records of work time must be maintained – usually through Kronos, the electronic timekeeping system of Auburn University. 

• Student employees must record all actual hours worked. Students are not allowed to voluntarily work “off the clock” without compensation.

• Time records, whether through Kronos or paper (only when Kronos is not an option), must reflect actual starting and stopping times of work as opposed to an established work schedule.

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Breaks

• Fifteen-minute breaks are typically allowed, with the approval of the supervisor, for each four-hour period worked consecutively. 

• The time of the break is at the discretion of the employing department. 

• Break time is not cumulative; student employees cannot save breaks for time off later. 

• Breaks should not be taken during the last hour of a shift, i.e. so students may leave early.  

• Students should consult with their supervisor to understand appropriate department procedure for taking a break while at work.