When speaking with employers, students should advocate for compensation or alternative remuneration if compensation is not available. The organization must meet the unpaid/ underpaid guidelines to be considered for credit.
Students should explain that:
UWaterloo is considered a world leader in co-operative education and is a member of the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL), which accredits co-op programs in Canada. A requirement of approved co-op experiences is that students are compensated, with industry standard wages, for their work on work terms.
Although extremely rare, UWaterloo will consider alternative remuneration as a means of compensating students in truly exceptional circumstances. Employers wishing to provide alternative remuneration must provide a clear rationale for doing this, and detail the form of compensation available.
Students arranging a job that is unpaid or underpaid in Canada or in the United States will provide details of their alternative remuneration when completing the arrange own job form. Students should ask employers for the following details that will aid in completing this form.
Details required for the alternative remuneration form:
• What is the employer’s reason for providing alternative remuneration for the student’s work rather than compensation?
• Describe the alternative remuneration and its estimated value that will be provided to the student? I.e. Stipend, honorarium, company equity, repayment of work-related expenses (visa work permit fee, travel costs, housing costs, out-of-pocket expenses), transportation, gym membership, lunch vouchers, business travel, conference attendance, etc.
Alternative remuneration details will be verified by an account manager during the job approval process. Note that account managers will seek additional compensation for the student whenever possible.