Policies, Procedures, Rules and Regulations

To achieve success, you must embrace and demonstrate basic qualities expected by all hospitality organizations in the United States. Upon arrival, your host property will review the rules and regulations of the company, these will include:

• Performance Standards

• Guest Service Standards

• Housing rules and regulations (if provided)

• Misconduct

 

It is important that you become familiar with and adhere to all rules and regulations. If you are terminated from your host property for disciplinary reasons, your J-1 visa sponsorship will end and you will be required to return home.

Equally important, you must know and adhere to AJ1's rules and regulations. AJ1 takes great lengths to make certain you succeed and you are aware of the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the program. This handbook, the AJ1 agreement, orientation, library, and website contain valuable information.

Drug Free Workplace

Host properties have the right to require you to take a drug test. You can be tested before starting the program as well as anytime during your employment. You may also be tested if you are involved in an accident. If you test positive for illegal drugs, expect to be fired by your host property and terminated from J-1 visa sponsorship - you will be required to immediately leave the US and return home.

Additional Employment or Training

If you are unable to support yourself financially throughout your program, you should withdraw from the program before traveling to the U.S.

IMPORTANT FOR INTERNS AND TRAINEES: Under no circumstances are you permitted to seek additional employment or training while in the U.S., so please do not plan to rely on a second job to supplement your income. Working anywhere else besides your internship/training program location is strictly prohibited and is a very serious violation of the terms of your visa. Your program will be terminated and you may not be allowed to return to the U.S. in the future if you violate this rule.

IMPORTANT FOR SUMMER WORK AND TRAVEL: Under no circumstances are you permitted to seek additional employment while in the U.S. without the employment first being approved in writing by AJ1. Working anywhere else besides your approved location(s) is strictly prohibited and is a very serious violation of the terms of your visa. Your program will be terminated and you may not be allowed to return to the U.S. in the future if you violate this rule.

Standards of Conduct

Adhering to host employer's rules and regulations is essential to your success. To help prepare and set clear expectations, we have outlined standards you will be expected to follow. Please note, these are not intended to cover every possible situation, but should be considered as guidelines of proper conduct.

• Attempted or completed unauthorized removal or misappropriation (unauthorized storage, transfer or use) of the property of guests, employees, trainees and AJ1 and Host properties.

• Excessive or unexpected absenteeism or lateness, including abuse of sick leave, improper call-in, or violation of any portion of the attendance policy.

• Interfering with or hindering training/work schedules; failing to report to a shift as scheduled or improperly arranging a replacement on a shift without permission from management.

• Loafing, sleeping during scheduled shift, or intentional restriction of output.

• Possession of dangerous or deadly weapons on Host property premises.

• Rude, immature or indecent conduct, sexual or other unlawful harassment or the aiding and/or abetting of any of these activities.

• Using abusive, threatening, vulgar, profane or obscene language, engaging in loud arguments or disturbances of any kind, or similar acts toward staff, supervisors, managers or fellow participants.

• Abusing, damaging, defacing or destroying Host Property, participant housing, or the property of guests or staff.

• Failing to give a high degree of service and courtesy to any guest, i.e., rudeness, negligence and carelessness.

• Saying, publishing or distributing false, vicious or malicious statements concerning AJ1, the Host Property, guests, participants and/or employees or services.

• Discrimination against a guest or fellow participant and/or employee or any act of harassment because of race, color, age, sex, national origin, marital status, medical condition, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or any other protected characteristic.

• Violation of any safety rule including failure to report an accident, injury or damage to equipment, facilities or persons; or engaging in any act that might endanger the safety of others.

• Hostile or negative behavior. Engaging in any acts of violence, fighting or threats of violence.

• Falsifying or altering time records, schedules, payroll records or application, or providing false or misleading information or omitting material information prior to or during your training and/or employment

• Unauthorized possession, sale, distribution, or use of drugs, alcohol or controlled substances on Host Property premises or reporting to training and/or work under the influence of drugs, alcohol or controlled substance including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, except where such use will not affect an employee's ability to safely perform his or her job. If you are using prescription or over-the-counter drugs which may impair your ability to safely perform your job, you must notify your manager in writing of such use, before starting or resuming work.

• Insubordination, willful disregard or disrespect toward a supervisor or representative of management or failure to comply or perform training and/or work as required or assigned. If you disagree with your manager's request, always follow the instructions given at the time and discuss it later in private.

• Soliciting gratuities from guests or commenting in any way regarding the amount of gratuity given. No participant may add or alter a gratuity on a guest check at any time.

• Unauthorized use of guest facilities, public restrooms, telephones or host property keys.

• Dining, smoking, snacking or gum chewing at any time other than during meal periods or in areas other than those designated by your manager.

• Giving confidential or proprietary information to other Participants, companies or agencies, or the news media or discussing confidential or proprietary information of the Host Property or management information with guests or in public areas where a guest could overhear a conversation.

• Failure to comply with established dress and grooming requirements.

• Neglect, carelessness or mischief which results in loss, damage, breakage or destruction of Host Property, guest or participant property or other property which contributes to or results in unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

• If a person does not report to work and does not call in for three (3) consecutive days, he/she is considered to have abandoned the training and/or work (voluntary quit) and is not eligible for rehire.

 

Attendance
It is important that you report for on-the-job training/work as scheduled and on time. This is part of your commitment to AHA and your Host Property. As expected, lateness, frequent absences, and improper call-ins will put you out of favor with AJ1 your Host Property, and fellow participants. Therefore, excessive absenteeism or lateness will lead to discipline, up to and including termination. We recognize that there may be times when your absence or lateness cannot be avoided. In such a case, please notify your host property following host property policy.

Statements to the Press
Participants must not communicate with the press, radio, television or film companies either verbally or in writing, on any subject relating to the work or operations of the AJ1 and Host Property unless permission has first been obtained from the AJ1 and/or Host Property Management. All requests for media information should be directed to AJ1 Management or Host Property General Manager.

No Weapon Policy
All participants are prohibited from carrying a weapon while in the course and scope of performing their program. This policy also prohibits weapons at any AJ1 and Host Property sponsored functions such as parties or picnics.

Prohibited weapons include any form of weapon or explosive restricted under local, state, or federal regulation. This includes all firearms, illegal knives or other weapons covered by the law. (Legal, chemical-dispensing devices such as pepper sprays that are sold commercially for personal protection are not covered by this policy.) Each participant is responsible for making sure that any potentially covered item you possess is not prohibited by this policy.

Termination of Program - Host Property
If you violate policies and procedures of your host property, or fail to perform at a level that was expected by your host property, your employment may be terminated. If your host property addresses any concerns with you, be sure to take steps to make improvements.

Participants can also be terminated with no prior warnings if he/she violates any rules that are considered serious breaches of responsibility, sometimes referred to "gross misconduct".

If you are terminated from your host, contact AJ1 immediately to discuss your required departure date and ensure you are complying with program regulations.

Termination of Program - AJ1
As per the Agreement signed prior to arrival, AJ1 declines any legal responsibility for participants terminated or expelled from the program. Termination will result in immediate repatriation and all visa documents will be canceled.

Upon termination, the 30 day grace period is voided. The grace period is only valid at the end of a successful and complete J1 program, or approved early withdraw. AJ1 shall terminate a participant's participation in the program if the participant:

• Fails to pursue the activities for which he or she was admitted to the United States or program

• Fails to adhere to the terms outlined in the participant agreement

• Is unable to continue, unless otherwise exempted pursuant to these regulations

• Violates the Exchange Visitor Program regulations and/or the Cultural Exchange Visitor Program regulations and/or the sponsor's rules governing the program, if, in the sponsor's opinion, termination is warranted

• Willfully fails to maintain the insurance coverage required under Sec. 514.14 of the visa regulations and AJ1 policy

• Engages in unauthorized employment (2nd job)

• Fails to perform training or work assignments to satisfactory level despite warning

• Fails to adhere to the policies and procedures set forth by Host Property and/or AJ1

• Fails to perform training to satisfactory level despite warning

• Fails to adhere to local, state and federal laws

• Commits an act of gross misconduct

• Falsifies information (written or verbal) given to host property and/or AJ1. This includes participating in a false interview (having someone else complete the interview on your behalf), or falsifying knowledge, experience, education or English proficiency

• Terminated from host property for violation of rules and regulations

• Fails to pass drug test

• Fails to adhere to the Pay As You Earn Program