UK Student Employee Information

Every employee of the University is expected and required to give notice of resignation before leaving a position. Hourly paid (non-exempt) employees are required to give a two-week notice. Salaried (exempt) employees are expected to give a four-week notice. Student employees are generally classified as "hourly/non-exempt" and are required to give at least a two-week notice before resigning from a position. Student employees should contact their immediate supervisor for the department-required notice.

Failure to give a required notice can result in being ineligible for any position at the University of Kentucky.

Before you begin any position at UK, you must complete a federally required I-9 form and a University agreement supporting our Drug-Free Policy. Find information on I-9 processing and UK’s Drug-Free Policy »

Nation-wide criminal background checks are conducted on every new employee of the University. New student employees will fill out a Disclosure and Authorization Form when completing the I-9 process.

Direct deposit is mandatory for all UK employees. Learn how to enroll »

Generally, most student employees are exempt from FICA (Social Security) tax withholding; however, this exemption is qualified by the condition that a student must be enrolled and attending classes at least half-time at the University of Kentucky. In addition, they must be working in a student position.  Consequently, a Regular Full-time employee taking on a half-time workload would still have FICA withheld from their paycheck.

Safety is a shared responsibility at the University of Kentucky. UK is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students, employees, and visitors. Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) offers guidance, training and resources to help prevent injuries, reduce risks and promote a culture of safety across campus. 

Explore the Environmental Health & Safety resources to learn more about how UK supports your health and safety at work and beyond.

The University of Kentucky’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) is responsible for upholding the university’s commitment to an environment free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation. The office supports all members of the campus community by providing guidance, receiving and addressing reports and complaints, and ensuring compliance with university policies and applicable laws. OEO also offers training, resources and outreach to promote a respectful and inclusive campus climate. 

A key component of OEO’s educational efforts is the required web‑based training titled “Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct: What You Need to Know.” All new UK employees must complete this course. The training is accessed through the myUK Learning system and helps employees understand both the university’s role and their personal role in preventing and responding to sexual misconduct. 

Student employees are expected to adhere to all department-specific policies and procedures. New student employees should ask their supervisor for details concerning department-specific policies.

All employees of the University are considered "at will," which means that employment may be terminated at any time by either the employee or the University. Separation from University employment is considered either "voluntary," through resignation, or "involuntary," through termination, layoff, or abolishment of position. Other forms of involuntary separation may result from misconduct or from job-related performance reasons based on the nature and severity of the act or problem.

Grounds for dismissal for misconduct, which may be immediate with due consideration to the nature and severity of the act or problem, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Insubordination, which includes, but is not limited to unwillingness to perform assigned duties;
• Violation of University or department rules;
• Falsification of the application for employment, time records, or other University records;
• Any act which serves to defame or malign the reputation of the University;
• Dishonesty on the job;
• Imperiling the safety of University employees or the public, or possession of a deadly weapon on University property or while on University business other than by a staff employee authorized to possess a deadly weapon, i.e., police or security or military personnel;
• Gambling on University property or while on the job;
• Negligent destruction of University property;
• Drug abuse, or the influence thereof, or the unauthorized use or consumption of, while on the job or while on University property;
• Alcohol abuse, or the influence thereof, or the unauthorized use or consumption of, while on the job or while on University property;
• Acts which constitute a violation of local, state, or federal law on University property or while on the job;
• Incarceration in jail following a conviction of a misdemeanor or felony by a court of competent jurisdiction, which results in missing at least five (5) consecutive working days (see note below);
• Job abandonment (see note below.);
• Any action or creation or participation in a situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization;
• Fighting, physical assault, physical violence or the threat of physical violence on University property or while on the job; or
• Other misconduct on University property or while on the job.

*Note: Misconduct is considered to be acts in which the employee ultimately has control over and, therefore, are voluntary. An Employee Separation Sheet (see UK policy 12.4.1) shall indicate separation for these reasons as a Voluntary Quit.

Links and Resources