Employee Handbook 2025-2026 - At-Will Employment, Equal Opportunity, and Workplace Policies

Sep 23, 2026

Upload by Jake

Employee Handbook 2025-2026 outlines Making Waves Academy (MWA) employment expectations, emphasizing at-will employment and equal opportunity. It covers policies on harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace conduct, conflict of interest, political expression, and fair hiring. The handbook also details work eligibility and immigration compliance, background checks, scheduling and employee classifications, technology and data security, safety requirements, and workplace environment rules. Compensation, timekeeping, paid time off, and a broad range of leave programs are included, with reporting procedures and complaint forms in appendices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages69

Reading Time24 min

AccessFree to download

Objective

Mission

Vision of Impact

Core Values

Our History

Our Program

Purpose of This Handbook

Employment Policies

At-Will Employment

Equal Employment Opportunity

Unlawful Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation

Work Eligibility and Immigration Compliance

Conflict of Interest

Fair Hiring and Employment Policy

Outside Employment (Moonlighting)

Conduct, Safety, and Resources

Code of Conduct & Ethics

Technology Resources and Acceptable Use

Social Media Policy

Safety and Security

Emergency Reporting

Pay, Time, and Leaves

Your Paycheck & Deductions

Timekeeping

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Paid Sick Leave and Personal Days

Vacation Time

Leaves of Absence and Protections

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK 2025-2026 From Alton B. Nelson Jr., Making Waves Academy CEO 6 Objective 7 Mission 7 Vision of Impact 7 Core Values 7 Our History 8 Our Program 8 Purpose of This Handbook 9 Key Points About Your Employment 9 Employee Handbook Receipt Acknowledgment 9 Amendments to the Employee Handbook Error! Bookmark not defined. At-Will Employment 10 Equal Employment Opportunity 10 Unlawful Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation 11 Workplace Harassment Restraining Orders 12 Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination 13 Work Eligibility 15 Immigration Compliance 15 Criminal Background (Fingerprint) Check 15 Notification of Criminal Offenses 16 Work Schedule & Employee Classifications 16 Work Schedule 16 Employee Classifications 16 Conflict of Interest 17 Political Expression & Professionalism 17 Fair Hiring and Employment Policy 18 Outside Employment (Moonlighting) 18 Participation in Recreational or School Activities 19 Attendance and Punctuality 19 When to Notify 19 Blackout Dates 20 Unpaid School Break Days (for Non-Exempt Employees) 21 Telework Policy 21 Workspace, Equipment & Security 22 Separation from Employment 22 Resignation 22 Employment Termination 23 Job Abandonment 23 Last Day of Work 24 Returning School Property 24 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting 26 Corporal Punishment Is Prohibited 26 Our Code of Conduct & Ethics: Professional Behavior at MWA 26 Open Door Policy 30 Whistleblower Policy 30 Self-Assessments and Performance Conversations 32 “Good Standing” 32 Professional Dress and Appearance 32 Technology Resources and Acceptable Use 34 What to Know About Your Use 34 Rules for Using MWA Technology 34 Using MWA Email, Voicemail, Internet, and Devices 35 Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) & Personal Use of Technology 36 Personal Devices and Accounts 36 Systems and Data Security 37 Email Security 37 Social Media Policy 38 Confidential Information 38 Safety and Security Error! Bookmark not defined. Emergency Reporting 39 Personal Property 39 Authorized Drivers 39 Visitors in the Workplace 40 Service Animal Accommodation 40 Smoke-Free Workplace 41 Fragrance-Free Workplace 41 Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace 41 Tuberculosis (TB) Screening 41 Lactation Accommodation 42 What is Workers’ Compensation? 42 Your Paycheck & Deductions 44 Wage Attachments and Garnishments 45 Wage Overpayments 45 Timekeeping 45 Paid Time Off 47 Holidays 47 Paid Sick Leave 48 Personal Days 49 Vacation Time 50 Paid Time Off for Educator Credential Examination 50 Travel and School-Related Expense 51 Reporting Time Pay 51 Natural Disaster Pay 51 An Unparalleled Benefits Package 52 Here are the highlights that make a difference: 52 Key Things to Know About Leaves of Absence 54 Bereavement Leave 54 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) 54 Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) 58 CA Disability Insurance 59 CA Paid Family Leave (PFL) 60 Paid Parental Leave (PPL) 60 Jury Duty or Witness Leave 61 School Appearance and Activities Leave 61 Expanded Protections for Victims of Crime 62 Bone Marrow and Organ Donor Leave 62 Drug and Alcohol Leave 63 Reproductive Loss Leave 63 Civil Air Patrol Leave 63 Military and Military Spousal Leave of Absence 63 Volunteer Firefighter, Reserve Peace Officer, & Emergency Rescue Personnel 64 Voting Time Off 64 Sabbatical Leave 64 Time Off for Adult Literacy Programs 65 Appendix A 67 Harassment/Discrimination/Retaliation Complaint Form 67 Appendix B 69 Internal Complaint Form 69 WELCOME! From Alton B. Nelson Jr., Making Waves Academy CEO Dear Making Waves Academy Staff, Making Waves Academy is a WASC-accredited, 5th through 12th-grade public charter school and also a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The aim of MWA is to work with and provide holistic support to historically underserved

FAQs

Is employment at Making Waves Academy at-will?

Yes. The handbook states that employees are subject to at-will employment terms.

What policies address harassment, discrimination, and retaliation?

The handbook includes procedures and protections for unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, along with related reporting and restraint-order guidance.

What types of leave are covered in the handbook?

It covers multiple leave categories, including FMLA/CFRA, pregnancy disability leave, paid family leave, paid parental leave, bereavement leave, military leave, voting time off, and other specific leave provisions, depending on eligibility.

Sep 23, 2026

Upload by Jake