Employer Resources and Policies - Career Connections Center | Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, Pennsylvania

Employer Resources and Policies - Career Connections Center

General Policies 

  • Westmoreland’s Career Connections Center (CCC) follows the Principles for Professional Practice established by The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and requires employers to follow the same principles and guidelines provided by NACE
  • Employers must comply with government, professional and Westmoreland guidelines 
  • Employers that post positions and recruit virtually or on campus must comply with employment guidelines provided by the US Department of Labor; Americans with Disabilities Act; EEOC guidelines; local, state, and federal laws and Westmoreland guidelines 
  • Employers may not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, or status as a veteran 
  • Employers are to avoid offering, serving or promoting the use of alcohol at recruiting events and in position postings. This includes dinners and events that would have an open bar or paid bar
  • All opportunities an employer wishes to share with Westmoreland students must be shared via Handshake
  • The Career Connections Center will promote opportunities and events posted by employers that adhere to the policies listed above and below, however, the CCC does not refer, select, or otherwise provide placement services

The CCC will provide services for employers and promote opportunities that meet the following criteria: 

  • The employer accurately describes their organization and the position’s requirements in appropriate detail 
  • The employer outlines a well-defined application process for students 
  • For positions that pay only commission, the employer must include the condition of pay and it must be clearly stated in the job description 
  • Paid positions must pay at least minimum wage
  • Employers are strongly encouraged to use a verifiable corporate email address. If a personal email address is used; e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, etc., employers and/or positions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis

The CCC reserves the right to decline the use of our services and deny recruiting activities if any component of an employer’s request including job postings is unverifiable or does not comply with CCC policies.

The CCC does not provide services if: 

  • The organization fails to provide essential information concerning the nature of the position or compensation
    • This includes, but is not limited to company name, company contact information, job responsibilities, and requirements
  • The position is shared by a private individual (rather than a verifiable organization)
    • For example, in-home/private/independent childcare, nanny, tutoring, catering, and/or healthcare positions will not be accepted
  • The primary location of the employer is a residence or P.O. Box.
  • The opportunity involves unauthorized solicitation, posting of materials, or sale of products and services 
  • The organization is sponsoring an individual to establish their own business for the purpose of selling products or services, and/or recruiting other individuals to establish their own business 
  • The organization requires payment or an investment fee
    • This includes fees or investments for orientation, training sessions, starter kits, sales kits, samples, or presentation supplies
  • The employer is unable or unwilling to provide written documentation of registration with a Better Business Bureau, if so requested. 
  • The website provided is inactive or does not have fully functioning links 
  • The internship or job opportunity is with an organization that possesses or comes into contact with marijuana products (including work with a company’s clients, attendance at marijuana conventions, etc.).

The following are guidelines employers should follow when extending offers to students. 

  • Employers should not put undue pressure on students when making employment decisions regarding employment and internship offers 
    • Allowing students the time to consider through their decisions is beneficial for both students and employers
  • With this in mind, we recommend employers adhere to the following:
    • Allow any student a minimum of two weeks to decide on employment and internship offers  
    • When offering students internships/practicums, employers must adhere to the CCC’s Internship/Practicum process which includes completing the student’s Learning Contract and verifying liability insurance. While students typically start their experiences at the start of a semester (Spring, Summer, or Fall), students will not be approved to start their experience until all necessary documentation is complete

Third-Party Recruiters (employment agency and search firms) may post jobs provided that they:

  • Clearly identify themselves as a third-party recruiter and state it at the top of all postings
  • Agree to disclose the name of the client upon request of the Career Connections Center and/or interested students/alumni
    • Upon request, the Career Connections Center and student/alumni must be able to verify the identity of the client being represented
  • Include a detailed position description that describes the responsibilities of the individual in the role and the necessary qualifications
  • Will never disclose student information for any purpose other than for the original recruiting purpose nor can student information be sold or provided to other entities
  • Will NOT charge Westmoreland students a fee for the third party/contract/staffing recruiter’s services at any time throughout the employment process for jobs posted on Westmoreland’s job board or any other position for which the candidate uses your services
  • Do not download or use resumes to populate their own organization’s database of job openings and candidates 
  • Third party/contract/staffing recruiters and the client organization they represent will operate in compliance with federal and state fair employment laws enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions (EEOC) and its state counterparts
  • The CCC reserves the right to request third party/contract/staffing recruiters sign a statement committing to the aforementioned prior to approval of an employer account request with the CCC, posting jobs or attending a CCC hosted event 
  • The CCC has the right to investigate all complaints by users of our services
  • The CCC reserves the right to stop sponsoring all recruiting activities through the CCC due to violation of the CCC’s Employer Policies
    • The CCC will notify the employer of the decision. Such grievances may be grounds to report to NACE/Handshake and subsequent removal from the system

We greatly value our relationship with your organization. Please note that any engagement in services offered by or in affiliation with Westmoreland’s Career Connections Center, including but not limited to the use of Handshake, participation in events, programs or workshops on or off campus, constitutes acceptance of and agreement to comply with the terms outlined in the CCC Employer Policies and compliance with policies outlined in the Principles for Professional Practice; US Department of Labor; Americans with Disabilities Act; EEOC guidelines; local, state, and federal laws.