Disciplinary Guidelines

Op7.16-9 Disciplinary Guidelines

Employment with the university is "at will" and may be terminated at any time. The university, at its discretion, may utilize progressive disciplinary procedures in circumstances determined appropriate as outlined below.

Student employees who do not perform work to standard or who violate rules, regulations or policies of the university may be disciplined according to the seriousness or the repetition of the violation. Formal disciplinary steps are not usually required for dismissal of probationary, temporary, or part-time employees.

Certain actions can cause employees to be disciplined, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Insubordination;
  • Inefficiency, incompetency, or inability in the performance of duties;
  • Refusal to obey directions or accept assignments;
  • Careless workmanship or negligence in the performance of duties;
  • Sleeping, loitering or loafing during working hours;
  • Conducting personal business on the job;
  • Continual tardiness or chronic absenteeism; failure to notify supervisor of absence;
  • Excessive, unnecessary or unauthorized use of university supplies, materials or equipment, particularly for personal purposes;
  • Unauthorized use or misuse of all computer systems, equipment, and software;
  • Careless, negligent or improper use of university property, including official vehicles;
  • Dishonesty, including falsifying employment application or work records or other university work records; clocking in/out for another student worker or falsifying time cards.
  • Conviction of a criminal act or illegal activity reasonably related to conduct relevant to the workplace;
  • Violating the university's nondiscrimination and/or sexual harassment policy;
  • Violating university rules, policies or regulations or departmental work rules;
  • Unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances on university property or as part of university activities;
  • Possession, use, or distribution of alcohol on university property. The possession, use, or distribution of alcohol in conjunction with university activities not on university property shall be in compliance with applicable federal laws, state laws, and local ordinances;
  • Reporting to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol; refusal to consent to drug or alcohol testing;
  • Fighting or using obscene, abusive, or threatening language or gestures;
  • Theft;
  • Unauthorized possession of ammunition, firearms, explosive weapons, other weapons as defined in Missouri Revised Statutes Section 571.010 (2), (6), (10), (11), (13), (17) and (18) on university premises or while on university business. Authorization to possess such items on university property may be granted by the Director of University Safety or his/her designee.
  • Disorderly or immoral conduct on the university premises;
  • Disregarding safety and/or security regulations; smoking where/when prohibited;
  • "Horseplay" which endangers self or other employees;
  • Excessive or unauthorized use of telephones;
  • Leaving the job during working hours without permission;
  • Unauthorized release of confidential information from official records;
  • Gambling during working hours;
  • Misconduct off duty of such a nature as to reflect discredit on or cause embarrassment to the university or to the State.