Student Services are available to co-op students during their work term.

Counselling

Mohawk College Counselling offers free and confidential services students including personal, academic, and mental health counselling. Contact counselling to book an appointment.

Additional Services

COAST Crisis Line Hamilton: 905-972-8338

Good2Talk for Post-Secondary Students: 1-866-925-5454

MSA Mental Health Support

In case of a mental health emergency, call 911, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Accessible Learning Services

Transition to Co-op Workplace – Accommodation and Disclosure:

Before students start their co-op work term, we recommend that students book an appointment with an Accessibility Counsellor for support regarding workplace accommodation and disclosure.

The Accessibility Counsellor will help students understand:

• Workplace accommodations in Ontario
• Options around the disclosure of a disability in the workplace
• Building self-advocacy skills
• Learning about supports to help with the transition from college to co-op employment
• How to complete an Experiential Learning Accommodation Form

If students begin to experience barriers when performing the essential duties of the job, it is important that they inform their workplace supervisor and contact their Accessibility Counsellor immediately for support or contact als@mohawkcollege.ca to book an appointment.

ALS Experiential Learning Accommodation Form

Students are to book an appointment with Accessibility Learning Services (ALS) to complete an Experiential Learning Accommodations Form to support any co-op workplace accommodation requirements.

Appointments can be made by emailing als@mohawkcollege.ca

Workplace Safety

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that their employees have workplace insurance coverage.

Understanding health and safety regulations within the workplace and student safety during a co-op work term is a top priority. Students must be aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) gives a worker the right to refuse work that they believe is unsafe. A worker who believes that they are endangered by workplace violence may also refuse work. If a co-op student has safety concerns during a co-op work term, or sustains an injury on the job, they must notify their supervisor and Co-op Specialist immediately.

Students must adhere to all safety policies and procedures related to shop and lab environments at Mohawk College, as well as all workplace safety requirements outlined by co-op employers. Failure to do so may result in failure of the current work term, blocked access to CareerReady for future work terms, or immediate removal from the co-op program.

Co-op and the Ontario Employment Standards Act

Co-op students in Ontario are not covered under the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) and therefore employers are not required to provide:

• o Paid vacation days (co-op students are not eligible for vacation requests)
• o Paid time off for statutory holidays
• o Paid overtime
• o Notice or severance pay in the case of early termination of employment

The Ontario Human Rights Code

The Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) ensures respect for human rights and prohibits harassment and discrimination against people based on a protected ground (age, race, gender, disability, etc.) in a protected social area such as employment. It is important to understand your rights and responsibilities under the code.

Employer Policies and Procedures

While on a co-op work term, students are employees of that company and as such, are expected to observe all employer policies and procedures, neither expecting nor requesting special privileges. This includes all health and safety guidelines as well as policies around the use of technology for personal reasons (cell phones, computers, etc.). Lack of compliance with company policies and procedures will result in a failing grade and being blocked from applying to future co-op positions.

Employer Confidentiality & Proprietary Information

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of and comply with company policies and practices regarding confidentiality. Data and research materials collected and prepared while an employee, are the property of the employer. Students must consult with the employer on the proprietary nature of any information used in their work term assignments or technical reports.

Student Conduct & Behavior While On Co-op Work Term

It is expected that students will conduct themselves professionally at all times and be respectful of supervisors and co-workers. A student’s work performance, attitude, and professional conduct will influence the decision made by employers regarding a student’s co-op evaluation and possibly further employment. A student risks failure of a work term where improper conduct, substandard performance evaluation or termination from a co-op work term occurs.

Academic Courses While On A Work Term

Students cannot enroll in courses that interfere with their working hours, while employed on a co-op work term.

Students are required to connect with their Co-op Specialist for additional questions.

Absences From the Workplace

Co-op students must notify their supervisor immediately if they will be absent or late to work. The employer should be notified before the start of the student’s work day. It is up to the student to ensure that the message has been received.

Additionally, if a student becomes ill during a co-op work term, and has been off for 5 or more consecutive days, they are required to contact their Co-op Specialist.

Please Note: Students with excessive absenteeism, or lateness, risk termination from co-op employment and/or failing their co-op work term.

Vacation/Days Off

Co-op students are not entitled to vacation while on a co-op work term. In some situations, time off can be granted by the employer if it is discussed at the interview stage. Students should not be requesting weeks of time off as vacation or planning any extended trips while on a co-op work term.

Liability of Termination or Dismissal

Under Ontario Labour Law, co-op students are considered temporary employees and as such, their employment can be terminated at any time during the work term, without recourse. Terminated students must notify the Co-op Specialist immediately. Each situation will be reviewed with the student, the employer, and the Co-op Specialist, to assess the circumstances. The student’s credit for the work term and subsequent access to job postings will be determined as a result of these consultations.

Please note: Mohawk College and its employees are not liable or responsible in any way for losses incurred due to dismissal from co-operative education employment.

Strikes and Layoffs During a Work Term

Strikes and layoffs are infrequent occurrences, but they are a reality of the workplace and may have an impact on co-op students.

There is usually an advanced warning of a strike. Co-op students should speak with their supervisor immediately to determine how it will affect the work term. Students should contact their Co-op Specialist to develop a plan, should a strike take place. The discussion will determine whether the students will wait out the strike or seek employment elsewhere. The employer will be consulted in this regard.

If an employer is in a position where they have to lay off permanent employees, they may not be able to retain co-op students. If a layoff should occur, students should contact their Co-op Specialist immediately.