Michigan Tech recognizes that supervisors are being asked about remote work options
for staff as we exit the COVID-19 pandemic. The University has reviewed and streamlined
its processes. There are three categories of remote work, each of which have different
criteria and processes:
- Remote work: Jobs that are exclusively or primarily done remotely, whether due to the demands
of the job (e.g. regional recruiters), for talent acquisition and retention purposes,
or as a result of developing a fully remote position description with Human Resources.
Supervisors should contact Human Resources directly regarding this option;
- Flexible work (more information below): Jobs that are primarily performed on-site, but that have a regular component of
flexibility accommodating off-site work (e.g. working from home one day per week);
and
- Short-term reasonable accommodations: Situations in which supervisors retain the ability to address exceptional circumstances
with their employees and allow short-term flexibility (in no event to exceed three
weeks) without the completion of special paperwork.
Flex work
Michigan Tech's brand relies on a strong residential face-to-face delivery model,
however, some positions at Michigan Tech can be successfully completed remotely while
still maintaining service excellence. Flex work is not one size fits all and may not
be appropriate for all positions. Every supervisor must weigh and assess their employees
and their positions to ensure flex work does not impact service or the ability to
satisfactorily complete their job. This page should be used as a resource to help
make informed decisions on the availability of flex work for employees. Any request
for flex work must be discussed with the supervisor and will require approval from
the supervisor and the appropriate Vice President with a final review by Human Resources.
The employee must fill out the flex work request form below at least 30 days in advance
of the desired start date.
Eligibility Criteria: For employees requesting Flex Work, employees with at least
one year of in-person employment are eligible for no more than 20% flex work, and
employees with at least 2 years of in-person employment are eligible for no more than
40% of flex work.
Flex Work Form
What is my role as a supervisor? As an employee?
| Supervisors |
Employees |
- Work with the Employee to make certain that the Employee/Position are a good fit
for flex work.
- Ensure Flex Work Form and other authorization paperwork is filled out correctly and
the employee has the tools and equipment required to complete their work.
- Help set goals and requirements for the employee. Support and encourage the employee
while they are working remotely.
- Monitor Employee performance and provide coaching/feedback.
|
- Employee should fill out flex work form request at least 30 days in advance of the
desired start date, otherwise, the request may be denied or delayed.
- Work with your Supervisor to make certain that you and your position are a good fit
for flex work.
- Review your flex work plans and space to make sure you have the proper resources
to complete your assigned work.
- Follow the guidelines that were set up for your flex work authorization.
- Check in with your Supervisor to monitor and ensure flex work is a proper fit.
|
Important Flex Work Guidelines and Conditions
Is Employee/Position a fit for flex work?
Michigan Tech always strives to provide equal opportunities to all employees when
it comes to working situations. However, flex work is not appropriate for every employee
or position. Keeping this in mind, Michigan Tech will review all reasonable employee
requests to work remotely using the following criteria:
Is the employee a good candidate for telecommuting? Criteria include:
- Dependability
- Flexibility
- Proven performance
- No record of disciplinary action
- Comprehensive knowledge of their position
- Minimum of one year experience in position
Can the duties of the position be successfully fulfilled through telecommuting? Criteria
include:
- Measurable work activities
- Little need for face-to-face interaction with co-workers, students, or visitors
- Clearly established goals and objectives
- Duties that can be performed alone
- Equipment needs that are limited and can be easily managed at the off-site location
Note: Michigan Tech reserves the right to deny or revoke flex work privileges at their
own discretion.
Checklists and Resources
Managing Flex Work Employees
Schedule:
- Have set guidelines for working hours
- Establish employee schedule for check-ins when they are working remotely.
Technology:
- Do your flex work employees have access to all the technology they need to perform
at least as well as they perform in the office?
- Do you have a plan in place for what employees should do if they have issues with
their technology? (such as: if internet is unreliable, printer/scanner issues, telephone
issues, software/hardware issues, and if issues occur and the employee has greater
than 2 hours of work day remaining should they come in.)
Communication and Well-being:
- Make a plan for regular communications with flex work employees.
- Make a plan for connecting with employees daily or for team to do so.
- Do you plan on checking in with your team daily?
- Make a plan to foster team-wide communications.
- Make a plan for keeping flex work employees engaged to ensure the employee does not
feel isolated, that others are comfortable contacting the remote team member, and
to establish tone for team engagement with flex work employee.
- Make a plan to check-in with employees to see how they are doing with the new working
arrangement - no less than bi-weekly for first 6 months and monthly there after. May
be more frequent.
Any questions related to this process can be directed to Human Resources Employment
Services at 906-487-2280.
