BAKE LAB
Welcome to The Bake Lab Team at
The 2024 Great New York State Fair!
We are so excited to have you on The Bake Lab Team!
Below is the process now that you have been hired. Please contact the Bake Lab Owner,
Jennifer Walls at (520)241-2031, or send an email to info@thesweetpraxis.com if you have any questions.
Step 1: Paperwork
You will need to fill out a few forms so that you can get a paycheck! Either scan and email or bring filled out physical copies of the following forms and original forms of identification (to be photo copied) to Orientation day at the Fairgrounds, Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 at 12pm. This session will typically last an hour, and those of you who have been hired as a baker will stay an additional hour to train in the kitchen.
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1) Fill out an I-9 form (only Section 1. Employee Information and Attestation) - this is to prove you can legally work in this country:
Click here for the I-9 form.
Click here for instructions for filling out the I-9 form.
We also need to scan a digital copy of some forms of identification to go along with your I-9 form. Refer to Section 2 of the form. You can provide one document from list A OR a document from BOTH List B AND C.
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2) Fill out a W-4 form- this is for Federal taxes:
Click here for the W-4 form.
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3) Fill out an IT-2104 form (if you anticipate filing NY State taxes) or a IT-2104-E (if you are exempt from paying NY State taxes):
Click here for the IT-2104 form.
Click here for the IT-2104-E form.
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Step 2: TRAINING
There is a mandatory training on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 at 12:00pm. Training will take place in the Dairy Products Building at our booth. You can follow the highlighted directions on the map in your welcome email. Enter through Gate 2 and park anywhere outside the building.
At the training you will:
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Meet the Managers and the other Bake Lab employees
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Confirm your paperwork has been received and is complete
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Get your Bake Lab hat, name tag, a physical copy of your preliminary work schedule and first Fair admission ticket for your first shift
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Tour the Bake Lab booth and learn about the various jobs/roles
If you cannot make the training please contact Jennifer Walls at (520)241-2031 or info@thesweetpraxis.com.
Step 3: PREPARE FOR THE JOB
You are responsible for reading through the employee handbook in its entirety prior to Orientation Day.
Please program Meg and Jennifer’s cell phone numbers into your phone. Calling or texting will be the only way to reach us at The Bake Lab once we’re up and running as we will not be checking emails.
Plan out your transportation from the Fair website: https://nysfair.ny.gov/your-visit/plan-your-trip/parking/
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learn about the on-site parking options
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check out the Centro bus/shuttling service here
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coordinate your rides and learn the drop-off areas.
FAQ
When can I expect to see my schedule? You will get an email the week before the Orientation with a copy of your schedule. You will also receive a paper copy of your schedule in the packet of information we hand you at the Orientation training day. **Please note: the schedule may adjust slightly once the fair starts, and we will notify you via text in that case.
Can I expect to work all thirteen days of the Fair? We do not recommend working all thirteen days of the Fair. The job is fun but it can be hard in the heat and standing all day. As you gain experience, more days may be added if you wish. Based on the availability you provided us, it may be possible that you are scheduled up to 40 hours per work week (Monday-Sunday).
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Do I have to pay to get in to the Fair? No, we will provide you with e-tickets for each shift. You will get your first Fair admission ticket electronically with your paper schedule at the training day. When you come for your first day of work we will text you additional tickets for your shifts.
How do I get my Bake Lab hat? Your hat and name tag will be handed out at the training session. If you absolutely cannot make it, please contact Jennifer Walls to make other arrangements.
What do I do if my schedule does not match my availability or needs to be changed? As soon as possible, contact Jennifer to fix any error. You also have the option to ask other employees if they can take the shift.
Who do I call if I am sick, running late or unable to make my shift? You must call or text Jennifer as soon as you know you won’t be able to make it or if you are running late. We strongly recommend that you program her cell number into your phone so you can easily call/text. Unless you are ill, we require 24 hours notice that you are not able to make it in so that we can get a replacement for you. You cannot work if you have COVID-19 symptoms, are throwing up, have diarrhea, infected wounds, or an injury.
Do you have lockers for my stuff? We have a limited number of lockers to use. If you decide to bring a lock for the locker, you must take it with you at the end of your shift each day.
How do breaks work? By law, if you are scheduled to work more than six hours in a shift, you will receive one 30 minute meal break. For shifts scheduled 6 hours or less, no break will be scheduled. Managers will determine who goes on break at what time. They will let you know when it is time and the amount of time you will be on break. Please do not leave your station unless directed to do so by a Manager. Please plan to eat a meal before your shift starts.
How do I find parking? While there are parking lots at the Fair, we HIGHLY recommend utilizing the park-and-ride shuttle option located at the Downtown Centro bus hub or the Destiny USA mall parking lot. The shuttle is low cost to use, runs on a continuous cycle and will drop you off at the Fair’s Main Gate (G1), which is located not far from the Bake Lab booth in the Dairy Products Building. Plan ahead on nice weather days and weekends...it has been known to take several hours to get to our booth on the busiest weekend days of the Fair in the past! We need you to be on time so we can give breaks to people. Click here to read more.
How do I get paid? Paychecks which include your earnings for hours worked and pooled tips are direct deposited each Friday, beginning on Friday, September 1st and ending Friday, August 30th. The second paycheck will direct deposit on Friday September 6th. You MUST set up direct deposit with us via the emailed Square (software) invitation in advance of the Fair beginning.