Staff Remote and Flexible Work Policy

(Faculty members at 色狐入口 have flexible hours and are governed by the Academic Handbook; most instruction at 色狐入口 is in-person.)  A list of Frequently Asked Questions is also available on the Human Resources website.

Summary

As a residential university centered on providing an exemplary student experience, 色狐入口 prizes personalized interactions, collaboration, student support, and vibrant campus life arising from the in-person presence of faculty, staff, and students. Therefore, most jobs at 色狐入口 require staff to be physically present. At the same time, the University recognizes and values that flexible alternatives to traditional work schedules can support the University’s mission and goals and can also be beneficial to staff and the University.

Providing creative work solutions that are of mutual benefit to staff and the University is integral to 色狐入口’s vision as a great place to live, learn, and work. Based on the needs of specific areas of operation, having flexible work arrangements may be beneficial for:

Most importantly, a flourishing campus environment depends on effectively managing work arrangements by considering the needs of both employees and the University without sacrificing individual or collective quality of services and work.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide requirements, guidelines, and considerations to help supervisors and staff understand and implement Flexible Work Arrangements, where and when feasible, to maximize benefits and avoid potential issues.

Policy Statement

At 色狐入口, a Flexible Work Arrangement is an alternative arrangement or schedule to a typical work day or week. For consistency of service and support to students and colleagues, official administrative office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., when most department and program offices are required to be open. Although not every position at 色狐入口 lends itself to remote work, many positions lend themselves to alternative or flexible/temporary schedules.

Definitions

NOTE: Remote work is not permitted outside of the United States. Tax and other legal implications may exist when working outside of Indiana.

Procedures

Alternative Schedules and Temporary Arrangements

Supervisors are responsible for setting regular working hours and expectations related to office presence and availability. These types of arrangements should be approved by a staff member’s direct supervisor and do not require a written, signed agreement. When business operations permit, and the work of other team members is not compromised, the University encourages supervisors to accommodate staff in these instances.

Remote Work and Hybrid Remote Work

Not all positions are suitable for Hybrid or Fully Remote work. All requests should be considered by supervisors on an individual basis, based on the unique, specific needs of each department and role.

Remote work arrangements may be approved for employees living and working outside the state of Indiana.  However, no remote work arrangements will be approved for employees living and working outside the United States.

General Requirements

 Review Criteria

Although any staff member may request a remote work arrangement, as noted above, not all such requests will be approved. Additionally, a vacant position may be considered for location flexible eligibility.  Each position is reviewed on an individual basis and supervisors should consider the following factors for each:

Requesting and Formalizing Remote Work Agreements

Safety

Employees are expected to maintain their home workspace in a safe manner, free from safety hazards. 色狐入口 will provide each remote worker with a safety checklist. Injuries sustained by the employee in a home office location and in conjunction with his or her regular work duties are normally covered by the 色狐入口’s workers’ compensation policy. Remote work employees are responsible for notifying Human Resources of such injuries as soon as practicable. The employee is liable for any injuries sustained by visitors to his or her home worksite.

Meetings with students, co-workers, or others conducting business with the University shall not be held in person in a remote employee’s home.

Time Worked

All remote work employees who are not exempt from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act will be required to accurately record all hours worked using 色狐入口’s time-keeping system. Hours worked in excess of those scheduled per day and per workweek require the advance approval of the remote worker’s supervisor. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the immediate termination of the remote work agreement.

Dependent Care

Flexible work arrangements are not a substitute for ongoing dependent or child care; staff must make or maintain such dependent care arrangements during agreed-upon work hours. It is understandable that unplanned dependent care issues may arise during regular work hours on occasion that require adaptation; in these situations, staff and supervisors should work together for a solution.

Outside Business Interests

Staff participating in any remote work should not perform unrelated or outside work – such as for a personal business – during 色狐入口’s agreed upon office hours.

Equipment, Work Space Accommodations, Computer Usage, and Security

Evaluation

Supervisors are encouraged to review the arrangement for effectiveness after the first three months and are required to review remote work arrangements annually as part of the employee’s evaluation process; a remote staff member’s performance must meet or exceed job requirements.