UMC Named Among Top Schools in Minnesota for Safety by Website StateUniversity.com

CROOKSTON, Minn. –  The University of Minnesota Crookston was recently informed that the website StateUniversity.com has ranked University of Minnesota-Crookston number 4 in Minnesota for campus safety. The scores of the top four schools ranked in the category were identical in a listing that includes 50 colleges and universities in the state.

Colleges and universities ranked for campus safety on a scale that accounts for severity of a crime as well as frequency of crime. Data is compiled from reports submitted by college and university law enforcement between January 1 and December 31, 2012.

The website StateUnivesity.com provides information about state universities and colleges across the United States including financial aid, academics, athletics and more gathered from a variety of sources.

To view the rankings for the top ranked universities in Minnesota on safety, visit www.stateuniversity.com/rank_by_state/safety_score_rank/MN.html.

Business Owners Guide to Seasonal Hiring

Summer is here and with it brings a multitude of teens, college students and many others looking for employment. Better Business Bureau reminds employers that hiring seasonal workers – regardless of age, involves following many of the laws and regulations that apply to full-time employees.

If you’re hiring seasonal employees, keep in mind:

• State child labor laws differ so it’s important to become familiar with what is allowed – and not allowed in regard to ages, restrictions and allowable types of work for youths and teens 9 and older. Check your state’s website fir specifics.
• Interns – paid or unpaid – should not be treated as replacement employees (even if just for a few months). Have specific tasks or activities designated just for them that would not ordinarily be done by a paid employee. Internships need to be for a specific length of time with no guarantee of a paid position later on.
• Be specific about the job, what it entails and how it should be performed. Don’t differentiate between seasonal and year-round employees, everyone should adhere to company policies and rules and everyone should have their own copy of the company handbook.

Provide safety training at the beginning of employment to ensure seasonal employees understand workplace risks and hazards and what to do if they’re injured on the job.

Seasonal and part-time employees are subject to the same tax withholding rules that apply to other employees.

What other tips can you offer about managing seasonal hires?