Problems At Your Job
Frequently Asked Questions
My job (hours, wages, duties) does not match what was listed on my job offer. What should I do?
Remember that it may take a week or two after your arrival for you to start receiving full time hours.
When your employer signed your job offer and other paperwork, your employer verified to ERDT that he/she believed these job details to be accurate. THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT. The employer is not legally required to meet all the terms of the job offer. But ERDT is ready to help you find a solution. Before contacting ERDT, be sure to:
Keep good records Write down exactly what hours you work each day.
Schedule a meeting with your supervisor Bring your job offer to the meeting, and politely show your supervisor where your job is different from your job offer. Tell him/her the change you would like to be made. Remember - your supervisor is much more likely to help you if you have a pleasant attitude.
If this does not work, contact ERDT immediately First, we will ask you for the details of your meeting with your supervisor. You are an adult and part of the Work/Travel experience is learning how to communicate like an adult in the U.S workplace. If you have done this and are still having problems, we will ask to see your list of what hours you have worked each day. Then, we will contact your employer. Based on the discussion we have with your supervisor, we will talk to you about what your options are.
I have spent almost all of the money that I brought to the U.S. within my first 2 weeks! How will I be able to live here all summer?
Remember that your first 2 weeks may be your most difficult weeks here. You haven't begun a full schedule, you have had lots of arrival expenses, you haven't received your first paycheck, and you are probably suffering from jet lag, culture shock and language shock.
You may begin the procedure for getting a 2nd job at any point (if you live in an area where second jobs are available). But mostly, try to be patient and communicate your concerns honestly and openly to ERDT and to your employer. Once you receive your first paycheck, everything will start to get better.
My job is very tiring. I'm not sure if I can do it all summer. What do I do?
After you have worked at this job for at least 3 weeks, you may quit the job and find another. ERDT requires you to work at the job for 3 weeks for a couple of reasons:
You must show ERDT that you intended to work at this job when you applied for a visa. Otherwise, you and ERDT could be charged with visa fraud, a very serious crime, by the U.S. Government.
The first week or two at a job is always difficult. 3 weeks is a good length of time for you to become mentally and physically familiar with the job, get over your jet lag and the stress of arrival, and then make a final decision about whether you can do the job that you committed to do.
If you have a sudden medical problem that prevents you from working at your assigned job for at least 3 weeks, you must get a note from a doctor in the U.S. before you quit.
What happens if I am fired from my job?
You are an at-will employee and not under any contract. This means that you may be fired at any time, except for in these situations:
You may not be fired for reporting an unsafe condition;
You may not be fired for being injured at work;
You may not be fired for reporting sexual harassment;
You may not be fired for reporting discrimination;
You may not be fired for refusing to do something illegal that your employer told you to do.
Click here for more information about quitting your job or being fired.