Special Employment Circumstances

Employment of Minors 

Applicants under the age of eighteen (18) years of age must have the appropriate work authorization in hand when applying for employment. 

Hiring of persons under the age of eighteen (18) requires the approval of your Senior Human Resources Business Partner prior to the applicant being hired. This approval is based upon a review of a completed job description to ensure compliance with legal limitations on the employment of minors as well as the possession of the appropriate work authorization. 

An applicant will not be denied employment because of his or her conviction record unless there is a direct relationship between the offense and the job or unless hiring would present a risk. Moreover, employment may be restricted by federal, state or local laws which limit positions with certain specific job requirements. For more information please see the Columbia University Background Check Policy.

In compliance with applicable laws, the University makes reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would impose undue hardship on the University or pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others. An otherwise qualified individual with a disability is a person who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can meet all of the selection criteria and perform all of the essential functions of an employment position held or desired. 

The University will not knowingly employ persons currently using illicit drugs. Also, the University Policy on Drugs and Alcohol prohibits the possession, use, manufacturing and distribution of illicit drugs on University premises. 

Relatives may not be employed within the same work area nor may any employee work under the direct or indirect supervision of a member of his or her immediate family or household without the prior written approval of the Vice President for Human Resources and Chief HR Officer. A relative is defined as the employee's child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, sibling (including a half sibling, step sibling, or sibling related through adoption), grandchild, grandparent, or the child or parent of an employee's spouse or domestic partner)  or close family member.