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Home › Hiring Guides › Casuals and Temps

Casuals and Temps

There are many reasons to hire people on a temporary basis. As with all organizations, Columbia must get its work done when employees become ill or take a leave of absence, make sure that positions are covered when people depart, and occasionally devote extra resources to special projects. On top of this, the seasonal peaks in the life of a university require additional short-term assistance.

The University's hiring policies address this need for flexibility. At the same time, they ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and affirmative action plans, as well as legal compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, Wage and Hour laws, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

When it comes time to hire somebody on a short-term basis, there are several available options, each with its own advantages, legal requirements, and procedures:

  • If your need is limited to a short period of time—specifically, to no more than 560 hours or 4 months—you may hire a SHORT-TERM CASUAL. Casuals, who are paid directly by the University through the payroll system, do not qualify for benefits.
  • For periods of no more than 560 hours, you may also use an AGENCY TEMP. Temps are recruited and paid by their agencies, who then bill Columbia. In all other respects, however, they are just like short-term casuals.
  • If you need someone in excess of 560 hours or 4 months, but not indefinitely, your best choice may be to hire a TEMPORARY UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE. Temporary University employees, whose appointments specify their period of employment, are paid through the regular payroll system and enjoy salaries and benefits consistent with regular employment.
  • You may want to consider hiring a Columbia University STUDENT as a work-study or intern. If a student is not eligible for these programs, he or she may still be hired as a student casual. However, the rules for short-term casuals do not apply to full-time Columbia students.

The purpose of this Guide is to further clarify your options and help you find the most appropriate way to handle your short-term hiring.

Policy

To read the official policy on short-term casual and temporary hiring in a new window, click here.

 

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1. Short-term Casuals

Casual employees can be either Columbia University students or non-students. The information provided here is for hiring non-Columbia University students. For information on hiring Columbia University students, please see the Student Hiring Guide.

2. Agency Temps

Columbia University has established an in-house team to manage the temporary agencies we use University-wide. By logging on to the myColumbia portal, you can request and hire temporary staff from a broad pool of experienced workers who have been pre-screened to meet the particular needs of your school or department. Our team can also tailor a hiring program to your specific needs.

3. Temporary University Employees

For various reasons, such as an employee taking leave for more than 4 months, you may need to hire a temporary employee for more time than a short-term casual or agency temp are allowed.

4. Students

Student Financial Services provides employment opportunities to assist students with their educational expenses. The Work-Study Program assists eligible students.You can list Work-Study positions online at their Post a Job.

The Center for Career Education also lists jobs for on-campus student casual positions (for students not eligible for Work-Study but who wish to work on campus part-time). To list ongoing part-time or short-term temporary positions, go to CCE's Employer Services page.