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COVID-19 FAQ for Co-op Students

April 7, 2020
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Updated October 13, 2021

Laurier continues to hold some courses online and virtually to align with public health requirements.

Some co-op staff members work remotely while helping students find jobs and helping employers recruit students.

Please contact your co-op coordinator or any staff member by email for assistance, using our staff directory.

Do I need to be vaccinated before a co-op work term?

Most employers require students to be fully vaccinated.

I worked at home due to COVID-19. How do I claim a deduction for home office expenses?

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) introduced a temporary flat rate method to simplify claiming the deduction for home office expenses for the 2020 tax year. Check your eligibility.

How does the primary recruiting period work?

During the primary recruiting period, the Co-op Office schedules interviews during a specific period. Employers rank students and students rank employers, and we reveal the results of the match on Navigator. For more information, see the recruiting and work term dates.

How does the continuous employment period work? 

During the continuous employment period, we allow employers to schedule interviews themselves, if they prefer. If an employer schedules an interview with you, please update the conflict form or let you co-op coordinator know, so we don't schedule another interview for you at the same time.

To increase your potential for employment in a job market constrained by the global pandemic, we recommend you consider applying to  co-op job postings in a variety of industries and locations.

We will give you up to 24 hours to accept or decline a job offer. You may decline only one offer during the continuous employment period.

You may also conduct an independent job search. Before accepting an offer you receive through your own efforts, please send a job description and contact information to your co-op coordinator.

You may read about recruiting dates.

I converted a course I took to credit. What impact will that have on my involvement in co-op?

Converting a course to credit will have no impact on your status in co-op, providing you meet progression requirements of the BBA program.

Employers will see you that you received credit for the course; they will not see the mark.

Prospective employers tell me their businesses are strapped financially these days; may I tell them about funding programs?

Yes; please see our funding page for information about funding programs such as the Student Work Placement Program and the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit.

Where can I find job postings, besides Navigator?

You might uncover jobs while checking out companies, associations, and online job sites. Before accepting a job you find on your own, please send details to your co-op coordinator, who will decide whether to approve it for co-op.

Working Remotely

Any tips I can share with employers on training me remotely?

Some employers are shipping laptops and other devices by courier. (You would return the devices by courier at the end of term, and the company disinfects the devices before shipping them to the incoming co-op students.) Here are some tips for your employer on onboarding students remotely.

Do I need to work at home?

Because Public Health Canada recommends physical distancing, many employers allow students to work remotely. Check out these working from home tips for students.

To hear what it is like to work remotely, listen to UXD student Joel Schellenberger speak about his experience working with Ontario Digital Service. Joel's interview begins about 22 minutes into this podcast.

If employers need you to work on location, they should enable you to clean your hands and follow physical distancing guidelines. If you have concerns, please contact your coordinator.

Financial Concerns

I am struggling to pay tuition; where can I find information about grants and loans?

I am a renter; what do I need to know?

Can I get a grant to run a project that supports my community?

Possibly, though we can't guarantee that it will provide more than a stipend or count as a co-op job.

Other Resources

Are there any other resources for employers trying to recruit or supervise students during the pandemic?

CEWIL, the national co-operative education association, has put together COVID-19 resources for co-op employers and students.