Attendance and Punctuality
Arrive on time, ready to work, and on a regular and consistent basis. Contact all staff – Dr. Nobles (dnobles@austin.utexas.edu), Stephen (stephen.pena@austin.utexas.edu), and Helen (helen.khodabandeh@austin.utexas.edu)- through email if you are sick or have a family emergency as soon as possible. Requests for vacation time or school-related absences need to be made one week in advance. UTEX assigns tasks for your scheduled shift hours so please plan accordingly and arrive to work during your scheduled shift hours. You should always be working on the clock. If you do not have work, please see a staff member. We will be enforcing write-ups if these rules are not followed explicitly. Any undergraduate who receives three write-ups will be let go.
Checking In and Out
Check in/out on the sheet in the business office for every shift and check the white board for assignments when you arrive. Make sure to also check in/out with one of the UTEX staff members (Helen, Stephen, or Dr. Nobles). Space has been made for your belongings. Allow enough time at the end of your shift to clean up after yourself.
Lab Safety and Protocols
Please keep yourself updated and in compliance. If you are not sure, check your UT Direct (“Compliance Training”) and/or ask a staff member. Also, NO food or drinks in the lab! The lab should be kept clean and your projects put up at the end of the day. DO NOT use another lab member’s code or share your code when using the autoclaves. Each member should be trained on the autoclaves before using and receiving a code. You are responsible for taking whatever you put in the autoclave out OR informing another lab member. To ensure that no one has to stay late because of the autoclave, do not autoclave liquid media after 3:00pm and do not autoclave glassware after 3:30pm.
*Please plan ahead and calculate the amount time it will take to autoclave plus an extra 30 minutes for exhaust and dry time (if it is a big load, it will take longer to exhaust and dry). *
Dress Code
Wear shirts with sleeves and pants. Closed toe shoes are required. Any violation of dress code will result in either the employee being sent home to change or wearing a lab coat or orange jump suit during the entire duration of work hours.
Ordering Supplies/Running low
Make sure to tell a staff or write on the whiteboard if you are running low on something. Note the item number as well (i.e., DO NOT just throw away the box if it has information on it). Please do not wait until we are completely out.
Rooms 218 and 221 (Lunch & breaks)
If you work four hours or more, you are allowed a 15-minute break. You may not use your break at the beginning or end of your shift (i.e. you are not allowed to come in late or leave early). You should be here when your shift starts and leave when your shift ends. Room 221 is available for lunch between 11:30-1:00 every day except when there is a meeting scheduled. The microwave and fridge in 218 are available for your use. Please clean up after yourself, especially when using the microwave, and do not leave rotting food in the fridge. Be considerate to those around you, it is not our responsibility to clean the “break room.” Please be respectful that the other half of room 218 is used as a business office.
Computers In 218
They have priority for work purposes. Please limit personal use during your break if someone needs them for work.
Business Office Area
Please do not be a distraction to work in the office, especially when someone is on the phone with a customer. Also, do not swing by the lab to print out school related materials. Please return all pens, sharpies, office supplies, etc. after using them.
Professional Demeanor
UTEX is experiencing an increase in visitors and we all need to leave a good impression. Be courteous to those around you, and remember your voice level and language.
