© 2009  SAGE

 

 

 

 

 

SAGE INC.

Panama City Beach, FL

Ph: (850) 249-8511

Panama City Beach/Hilton Head Island SC/Orange Beach AL

Employee Services Corporate Fees, Agreements Regulations & Disclosures

Panama City Beach Office, Effective January 20, 2010

 

 

SAGE Inc. is looking forward to having you join the J-1 Work & Travel Program this year!  We would like to make sure that you are aware of all the fees related to housing as well as the rules and regulations you will need to follow in housing.   Therefore, please read the information below along with the agreement very carefully.  Please do not hesitate to ask your sponsor or SAGE Inc. any questions about this agreement.  Again, we look forward to having you join the program!

 

Arrival Responsibilities

It is your responsibility to notify SAGE of your arrival and departure information.

· Arrivals must be scheduled for Monday to Friday, 8AM to 8PM, holidays and weekends not included.  Transportation and lodging will be the responsibility of the students arriving outside of these arrival requirements unless other arrangements are confirmed with SAGE.  

· Travel arrangements must be made and confirmed with SAGE at least 14 days in advance of arrival.  

· Groups of 10 or more may arrive at other times with prior approval by SAGE.

· Check www.saglobalexchange.com for updated information and email any inquiries you may have.

 

Arrival fees and deposits $250.00 (one-time fee upon to arrival)  this is a $150 refundable housing deposit plus $50 administration fee and $50 minimum fee for cleaning on departure, for a total of $250.00.

· All deposits and rent are due as stated in your job offer (see job offer for details).  

· You will be expected to arrive with enough money to provide for your food, transportation and personal needs until you start receiving pay checks (you will receive your first paycheck approximately 2-3 weeks after your first day of work).

· There is a One-Time Charge/Fee.  You will be refunded the housing deposit minus the $100.00  fee which covers MINIMUM cleaning and administration costs, excessive cleaning will incur and additional fee. The arrival deposit shall be held and returned to you upon your vacating of the corporate premises / apartment, only if all of the following conditions apply:

o There is no damage whatsoever to the premises, or the damage claim was paid and dismissed.

o There are no pending claims in relating to employee's activities or agreements during the time of employment or living at SAGE housing.  This includes early termination of employment.

o Deposit will be returned ONLY after move out, it may be required that we mail it to you, be sure to provide a valid mailing address.

o A minimum $100.00 fee is charged on departure for carpet and house cleaning as well as an administration fee for charges associated with establishment/disconnection of utilities and other housing services.  This will be charged in addition to the $150 deposit amount.  Should excessive cleaning be required, an additional charge will be assessed.

· 30 days before arrival you will be responsible to prepay your Deposit and fees ($250) and your last 4 weeks rent will be due upon arrival.  

o Weekly rate for housing is $90.00 which equals a Daily rate is $12.86 on weekly rental.  Daily rental only $25/day.

· Upon arrival you MUST give us your planned departure date (which is the end date of your DS-2019 Form).

 

Housing rate   

· Weekly rate for housing is $90.00 / by the day is $25.00

· Late payment fee is $5.00 per day

· Housing rate is based on a minimum 91 days (13 weeks) housing agreement, or for the length of your program (DS-2019 Form start and end date).

· Participants in SAGE housing must remain in SAGE housing during employment.

· Participants working at SAGE must notify the office if they are leaving prior to the end date of their DS-2019 Form / completion of the J-1 program.  Penalties for early termination of housing agreement may apply in the form of higher short term housing rates.

· Early departure from the program due to termination for cause, or quitting the program of your own volition  will cause forfeiture of the Housing Deposit , prepaid rents and any bonuses or rebates.

· All rent for your period of employment must be completely paid within 4 weeks of the last day of your expected employment with SAGE.

· There will be 2-3 participants per room depending on the room's square footage.

· Each such room shall have an individual full bathroom to be shared by the 2-3 occupants in that room.  Or there is a shared full bathroom for not more than 6 people in the apartment.

· Basic housing facilities include mattress, central air, basic furniture, plus living room with couch, TV, and kitchen equipped with table, oven, refrigerator, and cook ware.  

· During the season participant may be asked to change apartments. In the event that a change is required, SAGE will inform participant at least 7 days prior to scheduled change. Refusal to change housing at SAGE direction may result in termination of housing and / or job with SAGE.

· SAGE will have a walk through with the participants who are being switched to another housing to note the condition of the housing, in regards to the housing deposit later on.  Participant must depart the housing after inspection and are not allowed to return after walk through.

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES

This is an agreement between (“Housing-Agent”) SA Global, Inc. d.b.a. SAGE, and __________________ (“Participant-Tenant”).   

SHARED PREMISES. Housing-Agent reserves premises for Participant-Tenant on the Work & Travel Program. Participant-Tenant will share a room in the premises located at:

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

The premises shall be occupied only by the Participant-Tenant who has current SAGE housing agreements.  The Participant-Tenant hereby agrees to share the premises with up to 2 other people in each bedroom (based on size) for a total of up to 3 people in a room.                                  

TERM. This is an agreement for a term, not to exceed the term that Housing-Agent reserved the premises for.  Participant-Tenant may be required to move to the other premises during or at the end of the program if the reservation term is expiring.  Housing-Agent reserves the right to move Participant-Tenant within the company provided housing as they see fit to accommodate business needs and minimize housing expense. Participant-Tenant CANNOT move to the other premises rented to other J-1 Participants without authorization from SAGE management.  Participant-Tenant is liable to make housing payments for the term beginning on _____/____/______ (Month/Day/Year) and ending _________________ (Month/Day/Year) over a period of no less than 10 weeks or more than the maximum 4 months (the start and end date of the Participant-Tenant DS-2019 Form).

 

SIGNATURE OF TENANT_____________________________   DATE_____________

 

PAYROLL/BANK ACCOUNT DEDUCTION (WHERE APPLICABLE) –

Participant-Tenant shall agree to have $90.00 weekly deducted from the Participant-Tenant’s bank account to cover the cost of housing.  These funds will be used to reimburse Housing-Agent for the cost incurred to rent the housing rooms for the duration of the Participant-Tenant’s participation on this program on the amount not prepaid.  If your housing is payroll deducted, it may have as much as 2 weeks of housing per check deducted.

HOUSING EVICTION –

In the event of an eviction, Participant-Tenant is required to leave the premises within 48 hours of notification and pay for legal costs involved. Eviction due to housing violation will result in the termination of the Participant-Tenant’s employment.  The Housing-Agent reserves the right to evict the Participant-Tenant in event of, but not limited to, the following:

a) Participant-Tenant chooses to work a minimum of 30 hours per week or less.

b) Participant-Tenant terminates and/or abandons employment with primary jobsite.

c) Participant-Tenant is terminated and/or fired at primary jobsite for cause. (does not apply to layoffs)

d) Participant-Tenant engages in any action that is illegal under U.S., Florida, or local laws.

e) Participant-Tenant moves or relocates housing arrangements without Housing-Agent knowledge or approval.  

f) Participant-Tenant engages in any behavior considered dangerous to any person living and working around them.

 

UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS- Any person who is not paying housing fees (including SAGE employees) in the SAGE facilities and apartments will be considered trespassers.  Tenants who have prohibited/unauthorized guests in housing at anytime are subject to termination, and/or forfeiture of housing deposits.  Prohibited guests are deemed and identified by SAGE management.  No person shall remain overnight in any facility to which he or she is not assigned, without prior permission from our administrative staff.  Terminated persons will be notified of their status and shall have 48 hours to vacate.

UNAUTHORIZED HOUSING CHANGE- Students changing from one SAGE apartment to another without authorization will be charged a $150.00 penalty and may be returned to the house from which they moved.  They are also subject to termination and eviction from SAGE housing and your signature on this agreement constitutes immediate notice of terms and you will depart from SAGE housing.

   

NON-EMPLOYEE HOUSING RATE- Any student who voluntarily terminates his / her employment or is discharged from their employment due to performance or behavior issues will be charged a daily rent of $30.

        

NOT ALLOWED–

· Underage drinking, late night parties which may violate noise ordinances at any time are not allowed.

· Physical assaults upon any person at housing, or in job setting are reason for immediate termination with no refunds of any kind.  

· Any persons engaged in illegal activities can be discharged with no refund or settlement of any kind from SAGE, and will also be reported to the appropriate legal authorities.

 

IN-HOUSE SMOKING / PETS-

Smoking and pets are ABSOLUTELY Prohibited in all SAGE housing.  Violation will result in a $100 charge per violation.  If an individual offender is not identified, charges will be placed against house and divided among tenants equally.

  

UTILITY BILL-

Utility Bill includes electricity with the use of heating and air conditioning; and also hot and cold water. Utility usage assumes normal to economic usage, which means common sense activities like turning off electric appliances and lighting when not in use, closing windows and doors when heating or air conditioning system is on, etc.               

SAGE will cover per apartment $150 Utility Bill and $75 Water Bill per billing cycle.  All extra charges will be applied to an excess charge monthly housing bill. This will be divided by the number of students in the house.  Please CONSERVE utilities.  It will save you money.

 

UTILLITY BILL (Excessive)-SAGE reserves the right to charge employees an extra sum for excessive usage of the housing utilities. We shall provide a reasonable explanation of such charges, including copies of all bills for the corresponding period and a calculation of each employee’s share.  SAGE will invoice the students for their share of the Utility & Water Bill should the charges be in excess of $150  for utility usage and $75  for water usage a month.  A copy of the total amount for the utility bill will be provided to each student along with the invoice.               

CLEANING BILL (Excessive)SAGE reserves the right to charge employees an extra fee, should we believe the facility might be compromised due to lack of maintenance, unsanitary conditions, etc.  SAGE cleaners shall clean such facility within 48 hours after expiration of advance notice to occupants and if the condition was not corrected, and a fee will be charged, minimum $100.00.

 

DAMAGES Property damages caused by the student shall be his or her responsibility and will be billed to the student by invoice and deducted from their check or deposit or can be paid directly to the office.  In the event a single responsible party cannot be identified the charge will be placed against the house at the time of discovery and will be divided among all tenants equally.  

 

MOVE OUT FEE    All Housing Facilities shall be cleaned thoroughly upon an employee moving out from the premises. All premises will be inspected to estimate what should be done to return the premises to pre-existing condition.  Move Out Fee shall cover all expenses in connection with returning the housing to the condition the unit was in on the date employee moved in, normal wear and tear excepted. This fee is a minimum $50.00 and is charged to each person in housing.  If facilities are excessively dirty an additional fee will be charged.

 

TREANSPORTATION RATE   Transportation Rate is for the regularly scheduled transportation service to and from work.  SAGE drivers may offer you opportunities to be dropped off and picked up from banks, stores, entertainment centers, beaches, etc., subject to transportation schedule. There is no guarantee that there will be no wait time, but SAGE drivers will put forward their best effort to provide you with quality service.  A fee of $50 and/or termination will be imposed for any student who uses unauthorized transportation tickets (tickets not issued by SAGE).

 

TRANSPORTAION FEES (Transportation fee subject to change due to fuel cost - any change will be told to participants one week in advance of transportation fee change)

  Transportation - 1 way ticket rate        per trip COD      $5.00

· Must be purchased from manager in advance

· Minimum 20 tickets per purchase

· Unused tickets can be returned for full refund

Transportation – 1 way ticket rate  per trip COD  $6.00

· Cost if the ticket is purchased on the bus

Special Arrangement Transportation each trip COD   $10.00-35.00    

 

Transportation Responsibilities  

· It is your responsibility to be at your stop for pick up and drop off from /to your work at the correct time.  You may be charged a special pick-up/drop-off fee, up to 2x regular rates,  in addition to normal transportation rates, for unscheduled transportation.  

· Eating, Drinking and smoking on transportation facilities is prohibited at all times.

· You will be expected to behave in an orderly fashion on all transportation facilities.

· Vulgar or offensive behavior will not be tolerated, and you may be assessed fines or denied transportation should you violate policies.  

· Under no circumstances will any employee/student touch another student or driver in any manner.  

· Any such physical contact will be grounds for immediate termination with no refunds of any fees, and the matter may be referred to the appropriate legal authorities.

·  You are responsible to contact your driver with any schedule changes which affect your need for transportation as soon as you know about them.

 

Transportation Refunds - Transportation refunds can be made. Student must return transportation tickets before refunds are made.  No refunds if unused ticket(s) are not returned.

 

PHONE – Local phone calls are included in your rent.  Unauthorized charges are billed to the participants living in the apartment.   * LONG DISTANCE PHONE CALLS ARE NOT ALLOWED  ANY LONG DISTANCE CHARGES MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL OF TELEPHONE FROM HOUSING AND PARTICIPANTS WILL BE BILLED AGAINST DEPOSITS.  SAGE suggests that all participants buy a calling card so they can make international calls.    

 

MAIL BOXESNot all housing has US mail delivery, depending on your housing you may be required to obtain a P.O. Box.  If so, SAGE is not responsible for this service, it is your responsibility to arrange it. SAGE does not supply keys for on premises mailbox.              

KEYSParticipants will be issued keys. There is a $5 fee for replacing lost keys or for not returning keys. SAGE employees will receive a key to the house/apartment. Participants are responsible for locking doors at all times.  Upon leaving the program you will be expected to return your house key or pay the $5.00 fee.

      

COPIES OF DOCUMENTSSAGE is required to have copies of all employee documents on file. This includes your SSN; if you have one already, please bring your card with you. Some programs require that we fax copies of all supporting documents within 48 hours of participants' arrival (this is part of the hiring process when you fill out the I-9 Form).

Otherwise, you must bring it to us immediately upon receipt, to maintain your employment and payroll status.

 

PAY CHECKSSAGE Pay checks are issued on Friday afternoons; we will not provide them prior to that time.  Some pay checks are issued bi-weekly, depending on job site.  It may require 2-3 weeks to receive your first paycheck due to having to go through processing before issuance.

Paychecks issued at job site may vary (weekly or bi-weekly), please check with your supervisor. You will be notified if you are on SAGE Payroll or on the Payroll of your job site.    

    

OFFICE CONTACTParticipants are encouraged to contact SAGE by telephone for assistance. Participants are encouraged to make appointments for visits to the SAGE office to ensure staff are available to help.

EMPLOYEE TERMINATIONEmployees may be terminated for any issues which are in conflict with the sponsors program rules or SAGE rules.  These can involve issues of conduct and or job performance. Students arrested for any reason are subject to immediate termination. Students who are more than 7 days delinquent in housing fees may be subject to loss of housing and termination. All work and housing issues must be discussed with SAGE FIRST.  

Termination due to violation of rules and policies may result in forfeiture of fees and deposits.

 

All questions on program rules are to be addressed to your sponsor. Only your sponsor can end your sponsorship and cancel your DS 2019 form.  Should any SAGE employee advise you otherwise please report immediately to SAGE: gwkinsey@att.net:

 

SECOND JOB / JOB CHANGE –

Second jobs may be available but are not promised by SAGE.  You must work at and MAINTAIN your primary job schedule should you take a second job.  Refer to your sponsor for specific rules and procedures for taking second jobs.

 

Initial Here_____

PROGRAM COMPLETIONUpon completion of program, (SAGE payroll only) students will be expected to obtain all final time cards and bring them to the office for issuance of final checks.  Any checks not available for issuance prior to the student’s departure (all payrolls) will be forwarded to the overseas cooperator of your program, to a student directly mailed (pre-address envelope required) or it can be sent to the sponsor.

 

HEALTH ISSUESIf you have any known health issues including allergies to dust or chemicals, initial here____.   If no such health issues initial here______.  

 

Please list any health issues below:

_________________________________________

 

_________________________________________

 

Failure to disclose health issues which may affect your employment can result in termination.

            

I have read and fully understand the foregoing Disclosure Agreement and accept the terms and policies outlined herein.  SAGE verified that I understood this agreement.  I also verify that I checked and read this agreement on the saglobalexchange website prior to arriving as required by my job offer.

               

This agreement shall be governed by the Laws of the State of Florida.

 

              

SIGNATURE  ___________________________  DATE ______________              

                  

WITNESS ___________________________ DATE ______________

 

 

Copy given to Participant and to Sponsor

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The part below is to be signed and submitted by fax or email before arrival

 

 

 

SAGE INC.

Panama City Beach, FL

Ph: (850) 249-8511

        

                  SAGE/TEI Panama City Beach, Florida

                                                                      Summer 20102010

 Thank you for your interest in our jobs!  We believe you should be very happy working with us.

It is very important that you read and understand the information that is on this page, your job offer, and employee agreement,  if there is anything that you cannot do, or wish not to do, please do not take our job offer.

1.  Pre-arrival:  You must contact us by email at least  14 days prior to arrival with your arrival plans, we need to know all travel information and arrival schedules.   Free pickup from the bus station is available from 8AM to 8PM weekdays . Please make your plans accordingly, or be prepared to go to a motel.  Information for transfer of deposit is on the saglobalexchange.com website.  You will need to be sure to have your last 4 weeks rent with you when you arrive.  Please be sure to bring money with you for food, transportation, and any extra things you may want to do for entertainment until you start receiving paychecks. NOTE: YOUR JOB OFFER IS NOT GUARANTEED UNTIL YOUR DEPOSIT IS TRANSFERRED.  IF NOT TRANSFERRED ON TIME YOUR OFFER MAY BE CANCELED.

2. Arrival:  VERY IMPORTANT!!  DO NOT GO TO THE JOB SITE.  You must first go to housing and register in with us.  You can arrive early (subject to any sponsorship restrictions), but you cannot start to work until the date of your job offer.   Please be sure to contact us before you make your travel plans if you want to arrive early.  If you arrive after hours you will not be able to be picked up until 8AM, DO NOT CALL AFTER MIDNIGHT EXCEPT IN EMERGENCY, please try to arrive so you will not need to wait long in the bus station or airport.  On arrival you will call the phone number for pick-up that we will give you with your confirmation information when you email us.  Someone will monitor this number 24 hours a day, but please do not call during the night unless you have an emergency.  Misplaced luggage and arguments with your girlfriend or boyfriend are not considered emergencies.  You will also have a contact number for your sponsor if you need to contact someone.  Please call us first, we will be closer to you to help with any problems.  Immediately after arrival you must validate with your sponsor and SEVIS.  If you fail to validate, you can have problems with your Social Security card and/or program status.  If you have problems with this, please contact your sponsor immediately, this information is on your DS form.

3. Responsibilities at Work:  Most dress codes require the following; no visible tattoos or body piercings (ear rings are allowed).  Males must shave daily and hair must be above the collar.  You will be provided shirts, but you must buy or bring your BLACK or Khaki pants (see job offer) and you may have color and non skid closed toe shoes (see Job offer).

To maintain your job and your best hours you must have full availability for work.  If you limit your work schedule in any way you may not have many hours or you may be discharged.  There is absolutely no guarantee of hours if you restrict your availability for work in any way.  If you take a second job you must work that job in around youprimary job.  Most jobs (McDonalds, Burger King  etc.) will make your schedule for them after you tell them your Primary job schedule each week.  Do not ask to change your schedule at your primary job.  If you are scheduled to work holidays and do not arrive for work, you may be discharged, 2 or more days absent from scheduled work can result in termination.  Always be  available to work, arriving with alcohol on your breath, or violations of dress code may result in you being sent home from the store.

 

4. Paychecks:   Most job sites issue your first paycheck 2 weeks after you begin work, you must have registered with Social Security and take your SS card as soon as possible after receipt; delays in getting your card into the system can result in problems with your pay, until your SS card is presented to your store, you may have taxes taken from your paycheck, it is to your advantage to get that card to the store as soon as possible..

5. Drug testing: You will have drug testing before you start to work, it will not delay your start, however if it returns with a positive result you will be discharged.

6. Housing:   You will be housed as near as possible to your worksite, you will be responsible for the cleanliness of the housing during your stay.  If at any time you fail to meet your obligation for rent you will be discharged from SAGE and subsequently from your jobsite.  All issues concerning housing must be referred to SAGE, and /or your sponsor. Your jobsite manager does not control or maintain your housing. Failure to follow this rule may result in termination.

7. Transportation:  It is strongly suggested that you use public transportation or you should purchase a bicycle to save money getting to and from work.  If these are not practical for you, we provide transportation on a per trip basis.

We want you to have a very pleasant and productive experience in Florida, South Carolina and the USA, please follow all rules and regulations of the local government such as no alcoholic beverages for anyone under the age of 21.  A problem with the law can ruin your program very quickly.

 More information can be found at www.saglobalexchange.com and as new information comes to our attention we will post it on the website.  PLEASE check the website before arrival for any information updates.

 More questions?  Contact Gary Kinsey at gwkinsey@att.net .

       We look forward to seeing you in Florida,

                    Gary Kinsey

 

 All students must sign, scan and submit a copy of this letter with their job offer, acknowledging they have read and understand the terms of housing (located on SAGE website) and their job offer.  Issues involving conduct while in the USA may be referred to your university, sponsor, and local agent.

Student name______________________________________________

Sponsor___________________________________________________

Cooperating agency in home country___________________________

University Name____________________________________________

University address__________________________________________

Home address______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________Ph#________________________

Your email address_________________________________________________

 

 

              SIGNED_____________________________________________

                    Date____/____/_______

                              Mm/dd/yyyy

 

The contract below is the one you will

Sign on arrival.  Please read carefully.