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5.1 What is the purpose of house labor?
The purpose of house labor is to keep costs down by not always having to pay outside contractors to perform tasks that the members can do themselves. This activity is also consistent with the cooperative principle to be as autonomous and independent as reasonably possible. The highest priority is given to tasks which will maintain the cleanliness, safety, and security of the house. Beyond these goals, labor is also dedicated to keeping the house looking nice, supporting members' educational activities, and generally making Laurel House an interesting place to live. While this all sounds very serious, labor is not all drudgery. Many co-opers learn new skills or develop old ones (e.g., you will be amazed at how much faster you can do dishes, you will have a hard time of conceiving of cooking for parties less than thirty, etc.). Members also sometimes make friends with their labor partners and comment that doing labor gives them a sense of accomplishment which can provide a boost at times when things may not otherwise be going so well. So while labor is work, for the reasons mentioned above, some members enjoy doing their labor and (gasp!) some even find it fun.
5.2 How many hours of labor are required each week?
Each member is required to perform 5 hours each week. Typically, once a member learns how to do a particular job, the amount of time actually spent doing the labor is slightly less than the number of hours of credit given for that job. (Occasionally during the summer, it has been necessary to require 6 hours per week for short periods of time when the occupancy has been below normal but this situation is rare and short-lived.)
5.3 What kind of jobs are available?
Most of the jobs entail either cooking or cleaning, although other tasks like house maintenance, gardening, running errands, computer maintenance, etc., are available. Labor credit is also given to major and minor house officers. Major officers include director, food buyer, treasurer, maintenance coordinator, labor czar(ina), membership coordinator, kitchen manager, and College House board representative. Minor officers include College House subcommittee representative, College Houses Education Committee representative social events coordinator, and menu planner. Being an officer is not only a good way to receive labor credit (and, for some positions, even a rent discount) but also a great way to become involved with the house activities.
5.4 I have class/work/to go home during the weekdays/weekends. Is this a problem?
No, this is generally not a problem. Each member fills out a class/work schedule at the beginning of each semester and then the labor czar(ina) fits everyone into the master labor schedule. Note, however, that you can only be excused from doing labor at a specific time if you can prove that you have class or work at that time (wanting to sleep in or wanting to study at a particular time are not considered legitimate reasons to not be able to do labor). Since labor runs from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm almost everyday, usually everyone can be accommodated without too much adjustment.
5.5 I have a very irregular schedule? Is this a problem?
No, this is generally not a problem as long as your schedule is not completely random. Some jobs, usually called "flex labor," are assigned ahead of time and then members have a fixed period of time to complete the tasks assigned at their convenience. However, since much of the labor at the co-op must occur at certain times (e.g., dinner cooks must cook in the afternoons so that dinner is ready by 6 pm), usually most members are assigned at least some "scheduled labor." Once the initial labor schedule is constructed, it generally remains the same for each week until the end of the semester unless circumstances require a change be made.
5.6 What happens if I can't do my labor?
If you are unable to do your labor for whatever reason, you will need to make arrangements to have your labor covered by another member of the co-op (or in rare cases make alternative arrangements with the labor czar(ina)). Members who miss their labor in all or in part are given "no-shows" which are monetary penalties for the missed labor. Full no-shows begin at $8.50 per hour of assigned labor credit and increase with successive no-shows. Smaller fines ($1-$5) may be given for lateness, poor work, etc. After three full no-shows, a member is automatically up for eviction. Labor violations are taken very seriously, because without labor the cooperative will simply not run.
5.7 Can I switch my labor assignments with other members or pay them to do my labor?
Yes, you can sign up to swap labor with other members of the co-op. If
you cannot find anyone to trade labor with, you may pay other members
at the non-negotiable rate of $6/hour of labor credit assigned.
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Laurel House Co-op / Austin, Texas, USA / last updated 30 March 2005