June 2024

Finally, summer break is here! I hope that everyone has their summer plans in order (including taking any much-deserved vacations!); please let me know if I can help facilitate anything to ensure that your summer runs successfully. Thanks again for a great school year, everyone!

- On Wednesday, May 22nd, we had a VERY busy day at our Columbia office! So busy, in fact, that tutors didn't have enough space to meet with clients... so, once again, a reminder to put your hours in as early as possible! TutorCruncher will tell you if there's not enough space in the office - if you put your hours in early, you will essentially be "reserving" space for you and your client. If you are unable to book a session, then you know that the office is full - if that happens, feel free to reach out so that we can discuss alternative space options for you and your client. Over the summer, schedules are even less consistent and regular - there could be days with no one there, and the could be days where we are completely booked up - so please remember: the earlier you put your hours into TutorCruncher, the better!

- Important: One negative thing I do need to address. This past payroll, there were six tutor-based errors that led to delays in payroll, apologies being made to clients, and an angry CEO. I've already spoken to everyone involved, but I want to make this company-wide announcement: I'm really disappointed with the fact that these issues continue to occur nearly every month. When you receive your new tutor contract for Fall 2024, please read it carefully. It includes language about the consequences of these errors moving forward. I do not enjoy enforcing punitive measures. Many of you have known me personally for a long time, and so you know: I don't like conflict, I don't like confrontation, and I deeply respect each of you as colleagues and professionals. So, this is me being as candid as I can: after five years of asking everyone to carefully input their hours into TutorCruncher, this is my final plea to ensure your hours are accurate and submitted on time. Going forward, I will simply follow the contract. This is not personal; it is a measure to correct the issue. If you have any questions, I am always happy to answer them.

- Important: Another reminder that all contracts will be changing for Fall 2024 (your contract with LINKZ and your contracts with clients). I'll spell things out more in the Wiki, but here are the general points:

• The only changes in your contract with LINKZ are language-related, as the definition of "Independent Contractor" has recently changed in the state of Maryland, and the contract now reflects those changes.
• To that end, client contracts will come from LINKZ directly starting in the fall. LINKZ will send a signed contract to the client first, then to you, then all parties will receive a copy of the contract. There are no changes regarding the content of the contract - you will still dictate your own rates, subjects you want to include in the contract, etc.
• To summarize: your new contract with LINKZ will have different wording regarding your status as an Independent Contractor, and the origination source of the client contract will shift from you to LINKZ.

- If you're discontinuing with clients for summer, graduating students, or you yourself are taking the summer off, please let Michelle, Jenn, Carolyn, and/or me know.

- Please make sure that the door to our Columbia office is fully closed when you are leaving - in the summer months, it tends to not close all the way, so make sure you pull it closed tightly before you attempt to lock the door behind you.

- Please don't touch any of the thermostats at our Columbia office - they are finicky and can cease to work correctly if adjusted. If you have an issue with the temperature, please let Michelle know so that she can address it.

- A reminder that 1099 Independent Contractors do not receive formal paystubs (in case you're looking for them). We are able to generate a paystub for you if needed, so just let Michelle know if you need one.

- A gentle reminder (based on some client feedback) that the dress code for our offices is "casual, but more formal than what you might wear on a Zoom call when your camera doesn't have to be on" - jeans and sweatshirts are totally fine, but just be mindful that some clients may equate "too casual" with "unprofessional".

- Please let your families know about our summer College Essay Writing Workshop, being led by Grace Dellinger and Leslie Rufolo! If they'd like to register or have more questions, have them email us at info@linkzedu.com.

‍- Another reminder that our next Learning @ LINKZ workshop will be in September - I've put up a spreadsheet on the Wiki where you can write suggestions.

- We'll also be doing another potluck after the school year starts, with more details to come on the date/time.