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Assignment Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I am sick?
Notify your MS manager if you are unable to come in to work and coordinate any scheduling matters with your manager/lead. It is helpful to notify your ER rep as well. Only submit hours into the Talent Source Tool that you actually work. Volt does not provide paid sick days. Find out more.
How is my 100 day break calculated?
Your first day on assignment counts as day 1 of a 365 day calendar. After you have worked 365 days, you must take a 100 day break. Even if you take a break between assignments, your 365 day clock will continue unless you are off assignment for 100 days.
Here is an example:
If you start an assignment on January 2, 2009, your maximum end date will be 365 days later—in this case, January 1, 2010. If you only work until January 31, then take 90 days off and return to another assignment, your MS calendar will not reset and your maximum end date will still be January 1, 2010. The calendar would reset, however, if you took 100 days off. Then your maximum end date would be figured from the first day worked after the 100 day break.
Can I take my 100 day break early?
Yes. Any time you are off assignment for 100 or more days, when you return to another MS assignment, you will be eligible to work another 365 days on assignment.
What steps do I take to find a new assignment?
First, contact your ER rep. Your ERR can help you establish an assignment end date and then connect you to our Volt Transition Program. You must have a confirmed end date on your current assignment in order to interview for new assignments.
Will Volt have work for me during my 100 day break?
Volt does place candidates outside of Microsoft. Your ER rep can discuss your options and get your resume distributed to recruiters when your assignment is nearing completion.
Can I work overtime?
Coordinate scheduling with your MS manager/lead. Get permission before working any overtime. Some groups do not have budget allotted for overtime.
How do I get my phone set-up?
Your group admin is a great resource for set-up, office or equipment needs. Coordinate through your MS manager/lead or group admin.
I will be taking a business trip. How do I coordinate travel and expense reimbursements?
First, contact your ER rep with the dates you will be traveling and to coordinate booking travel and getting expense reports. You can book travel through MS travel by calling 1-800-699-2660. Expense reports are due 1 week after your expense is incurred. Enter your expenses into the Talent Source Tool, print the approved expense report, and submit to our payroll office.
Where is the MS library?
You can access the MS library to check-out library materials related to your assignment through the mslibrary website: http://mslibrary , or in building 92. Materials can be inter-office mailed to your building's receptionist.
Can Volt employees get a discount at the MS store?
Yes, but only on selected items.
How can I check my hourly accrual toward holiday and vacation pay?
Notice that your Year-to-Date (YTD) hours are reflected each week on your pay stub. This will help you calculate your hours worked this year, but will not show you your total hours worked for Volt. Please check with Volt's Payroll Coordinator to determine if you are eligible for holiday pay.
How long can my longevity bonus accrue?
The limit is 3000 hours. After that, you won't start accumulating hours again until you cash out your bonus.
Who do I contact regarding the information shown on my pay stub?
Questions should be directed to the appropriate address below:
Employees hired through Volt's Redmond & Bellevue office: redmondpayroll@volt.com
Employees hired through Volt's Bothell office: techpayroll@volt.com
How long will my assignment last?
Usually an end date is based on project/group needs and is open-ended until otherwise determined. Your ER rep will work with your MS manager to determine an end date. Please communicate with your ER rep regarding any end date information or questions. For more information... look here.
What does it mean if I am computer professional exempt?
Under federal law, to qualify for the computer professional exemption, an employee must be highly skilled and proficient in the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized information to computer system analysis, programming and software engineering. The employee must spend more than 50% of the work time actually engaging in exempt duties. More on Computer Professional Exempt.
Does Volt offer maternity/paternity leave?
Volt does not currently offer paid maternity/paternity leave, however your ERR will work with you and your MS manager to coordinate your time off.
My assignment will be ending in less than a month! What do I do?
Notify your ERR immediately so he/she can check with your manager to see if you are going to be extended past that date.
Can I participate in training offered by Microsoft?
Some Volt employees may have the opportunity to participate in MS training classes. This is determined on a case by case basis and must be something your MS manager feels is necessary to the success of your assignment. Volt employees do have the opportunity to participate in Volt technical training, for more information please visit www.vteonline.com.
Can I apply for full time at Microsoft and how do I go about it?
All Volt employees may apply for full time Microsoft jobs by going to www.microsoft.com/careers/. It is inappropriate for any Volt employee to directly contact a Microsoft manager about an opening he/she may have in their group. For more information on what is appropriate, please reference your Volt Employee Handbook. If you have any questions, please contact your ERR.
If I am required to be on call, do I get paid for the time I do get called and have to work from home?
Yes, the time you work when on call should be reported in the Talent Source Tool.
If I am required to have a cell phone and do not have one of my own, will one be provided for me or do I need to purchase my own? And can I be reimbursed for this expense?
Contact your ERR and coordinate with your MS manager/lead. One may be provided for you or you may have to purchase your own.
How and when can I obtain a performance evaluation?
Your ERR will request feedback from your MS manager after you have worked for 3 months and again at 9 months. When your ERR receives this feedback, he or she will schedule an appointment with you to give you a performance review. If you would like an evaluation at any other time, you can request this from your ERR.
Can I still receive training after my assignment has ended?
Yes, you can still sign up for classes by going to the training website, www.vteonline.com.
How much training can I receive?
There is not a limit to the number of classes one may take.
Where does my resume go when I apply online and why don't I hear anything from a recruiter right away?
Resumes posted online are added to the database and passed on to the recruiter who made the posting. The recruiter then tries to contact qualified applicants within 1 week.
Why do I have to take a Break in Service?
The break-in-service is a Microsoft policy and is in place to distinguish between full-time and contingent staff/vendors. After 365 days on assignment, you will be required to take a 100 day break before returning to a new assignment.
What is VMC?
VMC is a subsidiary company to Volt that fills vendor positions for companies, including Microsoft.
Can I smoke at Microsoft?
Smoking is not permitted in any of the Microsoft buildings. Ash urns are provided outside. Please be courteous and smoke away from entrances.
Can I decorate my MS office/cube?
You are allowed to decorate your work areas with personal items, but please use discretion. For safety reasons, you are not allowed to rearrange the shelving units, desk, or other furniture within your work area. If you require modifications be made to your workspace, please obtain an approval from your On-Site Microsoft Manager.
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