Employer Policies

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

By moving forward and using Handshake, you hereby affirm your organization is an equal opportunity employer, offering employment without regard to race, creed, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender expression.  

Handshake users may not post jobs, internships, or other career opportunities that are restricted to, or provide preferences to, individuals of a certain race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or other protected identity.

The University of Minnesota reserves the right to refuse services through Handshake to employers due to any of the following: dishonesty; breach of confidentiality; fraud; misrepresentation; abuse or other harassment of University of Minnesota students, alumni and staff; failure to adhere to these Career Services policies and/or any other violation of University of Minnesota rules and regulations, and local, state or federal laws; or any other behavior or conduct which, in the discretion of Career Services staff, warrants denial of service. Career Services reserves the right to refuse service to any employer who imposes fees upon applicants, or otherwise requires applicants to make financial commitments, including but not limited to employers who require the purchase of a franchises, engage in multi-level marketing, or require “start-up” investments.

The University of Minnesota does not endorse any organizations participating in use of Handshake, nor do the views and policies of these organizations reflect the views and policies of The University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota requires that all participating organizations event abide by the University of Minnesota’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action statement (https://eoaa.umn.edu/policies), as well as the Principles for Professional Practice as set forth by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org/principles). These include compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity standards, as well as compliance with all federal and state employment regulations.

Handshake is a service that facilitates the exchange of information between employers and prospective interns and/or employees who are University of Minnesota students and/or alumni. The University does not review or edit information prior to posting/submission, and takes no responsibility for the information. Each user is responsible for the information they post or submit through Handshake, including the accuracy and legality of the information. Each user is likewise responsible for conducting their own review of the information they post, submit, or access on Handshake. The University has no control over and takes no responsibility for the truthfulness, accuracy, quality, safety, morality, desirability, or legality of posted/submitted information; or the competence, employability, quality, safety, morality, or desirability of anyone seeking an internship or employment through the system.

By using Handshake, you are indicating that you have read and agree to the user agreement terms above.

All opportunities posted on Handshake at the University of Minnesota ought to abide by all policies and processes. If you receive notification that your job needs updates, you must make needed edits within 2 weeks from the date you receive the notice. Your job will not be visible to candidates until the updates are made. If updates are not made within 2 weeks, your opportunity will be declined.  

To protect the educational nature of the UMN Handshake websites, and to preserve their primary role in support of the mission of the university, advertising, and promotion of non-university goods, merchants and services are prohibited.

University of Minnesota Administrative Policy: Distribution of Temporary Information through Publications, Banners or Chalking 

The cancellation deadline for all career fairs is one week prior to a given career fair posted on Handshake. There will be no refunds after the given date, and employers who cancel will be invoiced for their entire registration fee.

EEO Event Disclaimer

All organization descriptions and posting opportunities are required to be written in English.  Organization descriptions and active postings may be written in multiple languages – if applicable.

Handshake and Career Service related resources will consider fee imposing organizations that ask the following application, program, or licensure fees from candidates:

• Relocation fees (such as, visa, airfare, housing)
• Education exams or licensure fees (such as, teacher, financial advisor, insurance agent, nurse, civil engineer)

Internship employers must agree to follow the university guidelines that include the following criteria:

• If an internship is unpaid, the employer confirms that their position meets the primary beneficiary test outlined by the Department of Labor.
• Student interns are not expected to pay “out of pocket” for business-related expenses (e.g. training, travel expenses while working, software). If the student does pay an out of pocket expense for work related activities, it is expected that the employer will reimburse them in a timely fashion.
• During the Spring and Fall semesters, internships must work around students’ class schedules.
• Internship employers should be responsible for the ethical and legal conduct of their employees throughout the internship experience.
• Re-disclosure of candidate information is prohibited without the candidate’s written consent.

Marijuana organizations are permitted to post opportunities on Handshake at the University of Minnesota, contingent the organization and its positions are located in a state where the organization’s business practices are legal.

Multi Level marketing organizations and franchises are not considered “employers” by Career Services and are not eligible to participate in any employer services. Such organizations are those that engage in one or more of the following practices:

• Sponsorship of an individual in setting up his/her own business for the purpose of selling products or services and/or recruiting other individuals to set up their own business.
• Requirement of an initial investment from individuals, with the organization itself serving as an umbrella or parent corporation. The initial investment may be a direct payment of a fixed fee, payment to attend an orientation or training session, and/or purchase of a starter kit.
• Compensation is often in the form of straight commission, fees from others under their sponsorship in the organization, and/or a percentage of sales generated by others.
• Requirement of “employee” to collect and deposit their gross paycheck amount from the organization, then holding back money for advertising, promotion, administrative or other back-office costs before the remainder is released as a net paycheck.

Opportunities requiring a photo from applicants are not permitted for posting on Handshake.

Private Households are permitted to post opportunities on Handshake, contingent the opportunity aligns with the majors  offered at UMN (for example nanny, tutors, PCA/Nursing Assistant). Employer contacts are required to provide first and last name.  

Some UMN career service offices and campuses will not promote private household opportunities. 

Postings are required to be professional opportunities that align with the majors offered at the University of Minnesota.

Programs are not eligible to post blanket opportunities on Handshake.  Postings are required to be specific, actively open opportunities, not open-ended programs.

Employers must prohibit all forms of sexual discrimination, harassment, and assault in employer workplaces and during the recruiting process. Examples of unprofessional and prohibited behavior include:

• Subtle pressure for sexual activity
• Unnecessary brushes or touches
• Disparaging remarks about one’s gender or sexual orientation
• Offensive sexual graffiti
• Physical aggression such as pinching and patting
• Sexual innuendos or persistent use of sexually suggestive language which another person finds offensive, demeaning, or otherwise inappropriate > verbal sexual abuse disguised as humor
• Obscene gestures
• Sexist remarks about a person’s clothing, body, or sexual activities
• Conditioning an educational or employment decision or benefit on submission to sexual conduct

Employers are expected to report any sexual misconduct or discrimination involving a student to a University Career Services office. All reports will be sent to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

Third-party agencies (temporary agencies, temp-to-hire agencies, train to hire, search firms, etc.) are eligible to post professional jobs and internships on Handshake as long as they list hiring agency in a comment (for UMN staff purposes only).