Beckwith Hall

CONTRACT

The student and the P.A. should discuss, agree upon, and write down the following:

• What work will be done.
• On what days of the week and during which hours the work will be done.
• Make two copies of the contract. The student and the P.A. should sign both copies and each should keep one of the copies.

The Work Contract And Its Use In Confilct Resolution

Before beginning work, PA's should expect to sign a work contract with each student. Work contracts allow the PA's and students to understand what the expectations are of each party, so as to prevent conflicts. When there is a misunderstanding, each party can refer to their contract to solve the conflict.

Expectations of the Personal Assistant

• What things are to be done?
• How many hours per day/week?
• What is the schedule of work?

Ways of organizing your responsibilities:

• A step by step "How to List"
• Twice per semester evaluation meetings

Additional suggestions

• Arrive on time and ready for work
• Call if you are going to be late
• Give notice if you are going to need time off
• Keep track of your hours
• Know what to do in a medical emergency
• Try to be flexible

If there continues to be some conflict about expectations of the Personal Assistant, Beckwith Management Members are available as resources:

• Director
• Associate Director
• Resident Advisors

Focus on the cause of the conflict and indicate what needs to be done in order to improve the situation for future success. When change by either party is not possible and all of these resources have been exhausted, termination may be a way of avoiding continued stress and frustration. Try giving a one to two week notice as a courtesy.

EVALUATIONS

The student, the P.A. and a member of the Beckwith Management team will conduct evaluations of the P.A. twice per semester. The student, P.A. contract will be used as an evaluation tool to determine if the P.A. is adequately performing the duties prescribed within the contract.

GENERAL THINGS FOR THE P.A. TO REMEMBER.

• The student depends upon P.A.'s in order to lead a normal life. A P.A. should give plenty of warning if he or she will not be able to work on a certain day or if it will be necessary to be late. Each student should have more than 1 P.A. P.A.'s should exchange phone numbers so that they can locate replacements when they are unable to work on a given day. The student should be informed of, and approve all changes. If something happens on the way to work, contact the student right away.
• The student (employer) is the boss. If the P.A. sees a possible value conflict, it should be discussed immediately, particularly in the initial employment interview. The P. A. should not tell the student how to live, on the other hand the P. A. should not do things that violate his/her value structure. If discussion does not solve the problem the P.A. should not take the position with that particular student.
• The P.A. should try to develop a sense of "appropriate initiative", a willingness to think on one's own, and to do what needs to be done without necessarily being told each time. This, however, can be a touchy area. The P.A.'s good intentions should not blossom into taking over and violating the employer's desires, methods or lifestyle. It is better to discuss a new idea before implementation. The student is the highest authority in matters of how he/she chooses to live his/her life.
• The P.A. should give at least two weeks notice before terminating the employment.

Please assist with the ongoing evaluation process at Beckwith Hall by doing the following:

1. Click on the appropriate form below.
2. Fill out and print off the Graduate Resident Advisor Performance Evaluation for each Beckwith Resident Advisor and submit to Pat Malik. These are OPTIONAL, however, we welcome comments from all Beckwith Residents.
3. Fill out and print off the Personal Assistant (PA) Performance Evaluation for each personal aide you have working for you this semester. These are MANDATORY. Return completed PA evaluations to Katherine Johnson.
4. Fill out and print off evaluations for other Beckwith personal assistants, such as floaters, meal assistants and night clerks if they have assisted you this past semester. These are OPTIONAL. Return completed PA evaluations to Katherine Johnson.

Forms

• Graduate Resident Advisor Performance Evaluation (Microsoft Word file)
• Personal Assistant Evaluation Guidelines (Microsoft Word file)
• Personal Assistant Performance Evaluation (Microsoft Word file)
• Floater/Night Clerk Performance Evaluation (Microsoft Word file)
• Meal Assistant Performance Evaluation (Microsoft Word file)

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