Missing a Shift

If you must miss your consulting shift at the UWC, there are two separate protocols to follow, depending on how far in advance you know you will be missing a shift.

If you know in advance that you will miss a shift

If for some reason you are unable to work your regularly scheduled hours and you know in advance, you must find someone to cover your shift. When you know that you will be absent, send a request to trade hours with another consultant to the UWC email list (uwcstaff@uwc.utexas.edu) at least three days in advance.

Once you have found someone to cover your shift, ask a front desk person to record the exchange in the scheduling system. Recording your swap is important not only for the sake of accountability, but also so that the desk person will know who is working in the Writing Center during a given shift, in case writers wish to make appointments with you. Since our primary responsibility is to meet writers' needs, it is crucial that you honor your scheduled hours, arrive promptly for scheduled shifts, and ask other consultants to cover your absences.

If you must miss a shift at the last minute

If a problem arises or if you fall ill at the last minute and are unable to have someone cover your absence, you must complete the UWC Absence form. Please notify the UWC of your absence as soon as possible and to arrange make-up hours. You can find the form at: http://undergraduatewritingcenter.wufoo.com/forms/uwc-absence-form/

PLEASE NOTE: Missing a shift without submitting this online form in advance and missing three or more UWC shifts per semester are considered possible grounds for termination. In either of these instances, please expect that the Coordinator will schedule a conference with you to discuss what is going on and find the best way to move forward. Shift swaps that are arranged in advance and university-approved absences will not be counted as official absences.