Wage Against the Machine
I-9 Know the Answer
Work-Study, Not Work-Guess
State of the Workplace
More Than a Paycheck
Supervisor Starter Pack
100

This federal law establishes minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and child labor standards.

What is the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA?

100

This federal form verifies a new employee’s identity and authorization to work in the United States.

What is Form I-9?

100

These three letters identify the federal program providing eligible students with part-time employment to help meet educational costs.

What is FWS?

100

In Massachusetts, most covered employees working more than six hours in a calendar day are entitled to a meal break lasting at least this long.

What is 30 minutes?

100

Explaining a process clearly and listening carefully demonstrate this career readiness competency.

What is communication?

100

This document explains a position’s duties, qualifications, and responsibilities before hiring begins.

What is a job description?

200

Under the standard federal rule, overtime begins after this many hours worked in a workweek.

What is 40 hours?

200

This person completes and signs Section 1, even when a preparer or translator assists.

Who is the employee?

200

In addition to general eligibility requirements, a student must demonstrate this financial condition to receive FWS.

What is financial need?

200

In New York, employers cannot require applicants to disclose this information about their previous compensation.

What is salary or wage history?

200

Sharing responsibilities and working toward a common goal demonstrate this competency.

What is teamwork?

200

This process introduces a new student employee to the workplace, expectations, tools, and resources.

What is onboarding?

300

The standard federal overtime rate is at least this multiple of an employee’s regular rate of pay.


What is one and one-half times?

300

For employment lasting at least three business days, the employer generally completes Section 2 within this period after the first day of employment.

What is the first day of employment for pay?

300

These students, pursuing degrees beyond the undergraduate level, can also qualify for FWS.

Who are graduate or professional students?

300

In New Jersey, covered workers under age 18 generally need this employment document, commonly called “working papers.”

What is an employment certificate?

300

Reviewing evidence and weighing possible solutions demonstrate this competency.

What is critical thinking?

300

These regular conversations help supervisors address questions and offer feedback before small problems grow.

What are check-ins or one-on-one meetings?

400

A student works 25 hours in the library and 20 in admissions for the same university employer. Assuming no exception applies, this many hours require overtime pay.

What is five hours?

400

For employment lasting at least three business days, the employer generally completes Section 2 within this period after the first day of employment.

What is three business days?

400

Undergraduate FWS students must be paid using this basis, rather than a salary.

What is an hourly basis?

400

In Massachusetts, a discharged employee’s final wages are generally due on this day.

What is the day of discharge?

400

Arriving prepared, meeting commitments, and taking responsibility demonstrate this competency.

What is professionalism?

400

This hiring approach asks applicants the same core questions and evaluates responses against consistent criteria.

What is a structured interview?

500

A student works 45 hours one week and 35 the next. Averaging the weeks does not eliminate this first week’s pay obligation.

What is overtime pay for five hours?

500

This person chooses which acceptable documents to present; the employer cannot insist on a passport or Social Security card.

Who is the employee?

500

A supervisor says federal FWS rules cap every student at 20 hours weekly. The handbook establishes no universal weekly limit of this kind.

What is a federal FWS weekly hour cap?

500

In New Jersey, minors must receive a 30-minute meal break after this many continuous hours of work.

What is five hours?

500

Identifying skill gaps, seeking feedback, and pursuing learning opportunities demonstrate this competency.

What is career and self-development?

500

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound describe this familiar goal-setting approach.

What are SMART goals?