Employees Only

Your first day at University Culinary Services marks the beginning of a new journey in the food-service industry. We will ensure that your questions are always answered and that you get all the necessary tools to be successful. You don't believe us? Below are some testimonies from our newly hired cooks and food service workers...

"Don't be afraid to ask for help and ask lots of questions"

"Honestly, we are a very friendly team, if you need anything or don't know something, you may ask anyone of the staff. If they don't know, they'll point you in the right direction"

"Take in information at your own pace and feel welcome to ask questions and offer your opinion. Know that we are all on the same team and here to support each others journey to learn and execute"

Before you come to campus, you will need to get a pair of non-slip shoes and black pants (no leggings or sweats) to wear on your first day (we will provide you with the rest of your uniform later).

As you arrive on campus, look for general parking lots closer to our E Cotati Ave. entrance. You must also ensure your car has a parking day pass on the dashboard (available for purchase at the parking lot kiosk). Then, contact your hiring manager or appropriate administrator (AA) to coordinate the exact location where your onboarding will be taking place (contact information at the back of this handbook).

Your introduction to our department begins with a guided tour of all of our retail and residential venues. Be ready to meet the majority of our staff as you visit all the different areas of campus. Throughout your tour, you will be completing new forms to get an employee parking permit, access keys to different rooms, Duo phone access for your online Seawolf account, and your new employee ID (yes, we are going to take a photo of you so don't forget to smile). Depending on your hiring process status, you might have to stop by our HR department office and complete your I-9 and additional forms (bring a proper type of ID). Examples of these forms would be your direct deposit, benefits, etc. (The links to these forms will be provided later). At the end of your tour, your AA will assign you either an initial hands-on training with another employee or work on our online SSU training courses for full-time employees (these courses do not have to be completed on the first day, but you are expected to finish them within the first 90 days of employment during working hours). Don't forget about your breaks throughout your first shift (you can remind your AA if 2 hours have passed and they have not mentioned it). Before you leave, your AA will give you your new schedule, as well as instructions for your next working day.

Well done! You made it through your 1st day at Culinary Services.

Let's give you the tools to navigate your employment at Sonoma State University if you have more questions or would like to revisit your benefits.

• Human Resources
• Payroll and Benefits
• Workers' Compensation
• New Employee Information
• Training and Workshops
• Sonoma State Forms

It is expected that you check your email and SSU account regularly for any updates, timesheet submissions, CTO, etc. (you will be guided on this subject by your appropriate administrator).

October 15, 2021
Sonoma State University is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and productive work and academic environment for all members of our campus. Consistent with our concern for the well-being of faculty, staff and students, it is the policy of the University to maintain a work and academic environment free from drug and alcohol abuse. Employees must remain free from the influence of controlled substances or alcohol while on duty. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, sale, offer to sell, offer to purchase and/or unlawful use of controlled substances or alcohol on campus, or as any part of University-related activities, is prohibited. Controlled substances include, but are not limited to, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, LSD, and amphetamines.

As a condition of employment, all California State University (CSU) employees (faculty, staff and student employees) must comply with the CSU Drug-Free Workplace Policy. The Sonoma State University Drug-Free Workplace Policy is available at: https://www.sonoma.edu/policies/drug-free-workplace.

Your appropriate administrator (AA) will determine the work schedule for you. As an employee, you will be provided with a notification of a work schedule change at least twenty-one (21) days before the effective date of the work schedule change, unless mutually agreed upon. You are expected to be punctual (on time) to all of your shifts as presented in your posted schedule. You only have a 10-minute grace period to arrive for your shift; any time exceeding your grace period will be charged to you as "Vacation time off" or "CTO" for the fraction of the hour that you have already missed. Habitual abuse of the grace period may result in a documented counseling meeting. In Culinary Services, you are expected to accomplish assigned work within the allotted time by your AA. If you need to call out sick for the day, refer to the "Contact Information" page at the end of this handbook to inform your AA or current manager in charge that you are not in a condition to attend to work for the day. Beware, that you will have to submit your "Sick" time hours at the end of the month.

You are entitled to a rest period for each work period of four (4) hours. Rest periods are determined by the appropriate administrator (AA) in accordance with the operational needs of the venue/platform.

Rest periods will be counted toward hours worked. When you are required to perform duties during a scheduled rest period, the AA will reschedule your rest period for that workday. Rest period time not taken shall not be cumulative.

You will get a rest period of fifteen (15) minutes every four hours.

You must inform your AA or current manager in charge prior to leaving your station for a rest period; at this point, you are relieved from duty and your 15 minutes start being accounted for.

Employees working in excess of five hours are entitled to a 30-minute meal period. The time for the meal period will be scheduled by the appropriate administrator (AA) and will be at or near the middle of your work shift. We provide a complimentary meal to any employee who has worked five hours. This is not a benefit to the employee but rather a convenience to Culinary. You must inform your AA or the current manager in charge prior to leaving your station for a meal break; at this point, you are relieved from duty and your 30 minutes start being accounted for. Meals will be provided in The Kitchens located in the Student Center. All dining employees must take meals in a designated rest areas away from production areas.

Based on the operational needs of the campus, vacation schedules will be determined by the appropriate administrator (AA). Requests for scheduling vacation must be submitted in writing to your AA at least thirty (30) days in advance. Vacations should be scheduled and taken only as authorized by your AA.

Requests with less than thirty (30) days’ notice for vacation must be submitted in writing to the AA who will determine whether or not to approve or deny the request based on the operational needs of the campus.

The usage of cell phones (including pairing devices) or headphones/speakers (of any kind) in the front and back of the house while on shift is prohibited. Failure to participate in this rule is considered misconduct and may result in verbal and/or written disciplinary actions. You may use your technology devices during your rest periods or your meal breaks only.

In case of emergencies, speak to the appropriate administrator or current manager in charge to accommodate any approved needs only for a partial duration of your shift.

Culinary employees will eat and drink outside of the production kitchen or work area.

All dining employees must:

• Eat and drink in designated areas only (dining rooms across the student center), never in the work area.
• Eating (with the exception of cooks/staff tasting foods to ensure quality) is NOT allowed in the production and service areas.
• Drinking from a closed beverage container is permitted in the production areas as long as the cup is kept in a drinking rack with a lid and straw.
• Chewing gum or eating candy is allowed only in the area designated for employees to eat.

The managers will:

• Observe employees to make sure that that they are eating and drinking only in designated areas.
• Retrain employees as necessary.
• Take appropriate corrective action when necessary.
• Follow up as necessary.

Culinary Services will provide you with initial training in food safety and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), Temp Log Training programs, and more. Training will be ongoing to ensure that you are aware of food safety and are following the food safety program.

The management will also:

• Include basic food safety training as part of new employee orientation and in the weekly safety reminders posted at all of our venues (you can always ask a manager to revisit with you any of the safety topics in our booklet).
• Require all employees to complete a ServSafe Food Manager Certification (Study guide will be provided).
• Observe staff to ensure that they demonstrate food safety knowledge each day in the workplace.

For immediate medical attention, call 911, or visit a Kaiser Permanente Emergency Room, or the closest Emergency Room. Inform all treating healthcare providers that you are being seen for a work-related injury.

Instructions for the Injured Worker

• Inform your supervisor immediately.
• Complete the DWC1 Form and submit it to the Workers’ Compensation Office within 24 hours of your injury (707-664-4049 or drop it off in an envelope at the front desk of HR).
• If you don't need medical attention, inform your supervisor that you are only reporting the incident.
• For medical treatment, contact 707-664-2664 and request an appointment with our Kaiser Permanente Occupational Medical Physician. Leave a message if the call is not answered. Appointments are generally scheduled within 24-48 hours at Kaiser in Santa Rosa or Petaluma.

The work environment must be safe for all employees. All dining employees are expected to follow the following guidelines:

Sonoma State University is committed to creating and maintaining a campus environment for all members of the university community that is free from violence. Civility, understanding, and mutual respect toward all members of the university community are intrinsic to excellence in teaching and learning, safety in the workplace, and the maintenance of a culture and environment that serves the needs of all campus constituents.

Sonoma State University will not tolerate violence or threats of violence on campus or at campus-sponsored events by members of the university community against other persons or property.

For the purpose of this Guideline, violence, and threats of violence include, but are not limited to:

1. Any act that is physically assaultive; or
2. Any threat, behavior, or action which is interpreted by a reasonable person to carry the potential:
   • To harm or endanger the safety of others;
   • To result in an act of aggression; or
   • To destroy or damage property.

Any member of the university community who commits a violent act or threatens to commit a violent act toward other persons or property on campus or at campus- sponsored events shall be subject to disciplinary action, according to established procedures, up to and including dismissal from employment or expulsion from the university, exclusive of any civil and/or criminal penalties that may be pursued, as appropriate. It is the responsibility of every administrator, faculty member, staff member, and student to take any threat or violent act seriously, and to report acts of violence or threats of violence to the appropriate authorities. Nothing in this guideline is intended to restrain the exercise of rights of political or social advocacy, or artistic expression, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

• Evacuate calmly and quickly whenever a fire alarm or carbon monoxide alarm sounds.
• Keep important items close by you; such as personal medications handy for quick access in the event of a building evacuation.
• Know at least two ways out of any building.
• Before opening a door, feel it with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, do not open it.
• If you encounter smoke during your evacuation, stay low to the floor.
• Know the outside rally point for your building.
• In case of a smoke or fire emergency, activate the nearest fire alarm pull station, alert those around you, and from a safe location call the fire department by dialing 911.
• Make sure that hallways and stairway doors close tightly.
• The meeting point is marked on the map below.
• Check in with your manager to be marked off the daily roster ensuring that you are safe.
  

This is the end of your Full-Time Employee Handbook, but
the beginning of your new journey. Please refer to this page
if you would like to contact any of our managers, anytime.

Lauren Antoni
antoni@sonoma.edu / 408 892 7674

Don Cortes
don.cortes@sonoma.edu / 707 664 4399

Holly Galbraith
galbraih@sonoma.edu / 707 664 3441

Douglas Boyington
boyingto@sonoma.edu / 707 664 4045

Christopher Romo
christopher.romo@sonoma.edu

Michael Peters
petersmic@sonoma.edu / 707 664 2477

Mary Ferrer
ferrerm@sonoma.edu / 707 664 3874

Gustavo Pimentel Perez
perezgu@sonoma.edu / 707 664 3617