Employee Handbook
Section 4: Work Conditions and Hours
Hours of Operation/Work Schedules/Flextime
The normal work schedule for all employees is 8 hours a day, 5 days a payroll week. Supervisors will advise employees of the times their schedules will normally begin and end. Staffing needs and operational demands may necessitate variations in starting and ending times, as well as variations in the total hours that may be scheduled each day and week.
Flexible scheduling, or flextime, is available in some cases to allow employees to vary their starting and ending times each day within established limits. Flextime may be possible depending upon staffing needs, operational considerations, the employee's performance, and the nature of the job. At no time is flextime guaranteed and, once granted, the Company may change or revoke an employee’s flextime schedule at its sole discretion. Employees interested in flextime should consult their supervisor to get additional information.
Rest and Meal Periods
Each workday, full-time non-exempt employees are provided with two rest periods of 15 minutes in length. To the extent possible, rest periods will be provided in the middle of work periods, but if the needs of the business warrant that placement of a rest period change, your manager has discretion to do so. Since this time is counted and paid as time worked, employees must not leave the premises during such a rest period time. At any point, should an employee leave the premises, he/she must clock out and inform his/her supervisor of the departure.
All full-time, non-exempt employees who are scheduled to work more than five (5) hours in a workday are also provided with one unpaid meal period of 60 minutes in length. Managers will schedule meal periods to accommodate the Company’s operating requirements. Employees will be relieved of all active responsibilities and restrictions during meal periods and will not be compensated for that time. If for any reason an employee does not take the applicable meal and rest periods, the employee must notify his or her supervisor immediately.
Safety & Security
To assist in providing a safe and healthful work environment for employees, customers, and visitors, Xpress Cargo, Inc. has established a workplace safety program. This program is a top priority for Xpress Cargo, Inc. Its success depends on the alertness and personal commitment of all.
Some of the best safety improvement ideas come from employees. Those with ideas, concerns, or suggestions for improved safety in the workplace are encouraged to raise them with their supervisor, or with another supervisor or manager, or bring them to the attention of the Human Resources Department. Reports and concerns about workplace safety issues may be made anonymously if the employee wishes. All reports can be made without fear of reprisal.
Each employee is expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all work activities. Employees who: violate safety standards, cause hazardous or dangerous situations, or who fail to report or, where appropriate; remedy such situations may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Employees are expected to comply with the following:
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Employees are not to use the main entrance or the main stairwell at any time. Employees are to use employee entrances and stairwells.
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Immediately report any unsafe condition to the appropriate supervisor
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Do not prop doors open/unlocked
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Do not leave rear gate open or unlocked
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Report lost key fobs
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Lock computers while away from your desk
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Log out of computer at the end of each day
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Shut down your computer at least once per week
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Plug nothing into a socket unless supplied by the Company
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Plug no cell phone charger into your computer terminal for recharge
Upon entering and exiting the premises, employees must ensure that all entrance doors always remain locked.
Employees are required to utilize a key fob to enter and exit entrance doors.
In case of accidents that result in injury, regardless of how insignificant the injury may appear, employees should immediately notify the Human Resources Department and their respective manager. Such reports are necessary to comply with laws and initiate insurance and workers’ compensation benefits procedures.
Workplace Violence Prevention
Xpress Cargo, Inc. strives to maintain a productive work environment free of violence and the threat of violence. We are committed to the safety of our employees, vendors, customers and visitors.
Xpress Cargo, Inc. does not tolerate any type of workplace violence committed by or against employees. Any threats or acts of violence against an employee, vendor, customer, visitor or property will not be tolerated. Any employee who threatens violence or acts in a violent manner while on Company premises or during working hours will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Where appropriate, Xpress Cargo, Inc. will report violent incidents to local law enforcement authorities.
A violent act or threat of violence is defined as any direct or indirect action or behavior that could be interpreted, in light of known facts, circumstances and information, by a reasonable person, as indicating the potential for or intent to harm, endanger or inflict pain or injury on any person or property.
Guns & Weapons in the Workplace
Xpress Cargo, Inc. strictly prohibits employees from possessing or carrying weapons or ammunition of any kind in the Company’s offices or facilities or while in the offices or facilities of the Company’s customers. This shall not prohibit an employee from keeping a legally owned firearm and ammunition that is locked, out of sight, inside a privately-owned vehicle, and in the Company’s parking lot so long as the employee lawfully possesses the firearm and ammunition and possesses the necessary license.
In order to promote a safe, productive, and efficient workplace, Xpress Cargo reserves the right to inspect any articles and property in an employee’s possession or on an employee’s person, to detect guns or other weapons. Xpress Cargo, Inc. also reserves the right to inspect lockers, desks, Company vehicles, personal vehicles on Company property, packages, lunch boxes, backpacks, purses, containers, articles of clothing, and other objects brought onto Company property that might conceal guns or other weapons.
Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Inclement Weather/Emergency Closings
At times, emergencies can disrupt Company operations. In extreme cases, these circumstances may not allow you to make it to work. If such an emergency occurs during nonworking hours, employees may call their manager and seek direction.
However, if absence is the result, with supervisory approval, employees may use available paid time off, such as unused PTO days. Employees in essential operations may be asked to work on a day when operations are officially closed.
Salaried employees who are scheduled to work will be paid for their entire shift, whether they are on site when the facility closes, or the facility closes before their shift begins.
Visitors in the Workplace
To provide for the safety and security of employees and the facilities at Xpress Cargo, Inc., only authorized visitors are allowed in the workplace. Authorized visitors will be allowed to visit with employees in the front sitting area ONLY. Employees are responsible for the conduct and safety of their own visitors.
If an unauthorized individual is observed on Xpress Cargo, Inc.’s premises, employees should immediately notify their supervisor. If necessary, notify the Human Resources Department.