Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexible work arrangements are any arrangements that provide an employee alternatives to working regularly scheduled hours in the office or typical work location. Flexibility can be accomplished without changing a department’s regular hours of operation or altering the responsibility or authority of managers.

Types of Flexible Work Arrangements

  • Flexible Work Schedule
    • Varied start and end times
    • Mealtime flex
    • Seasonal Adjustments
  • Telework

Information for Managers

As a manager you will need to review your department as a whole and determine if flexible work arrangements align with the department’s mission, objectives, services, and service hours. The resources provided will assist you with evaluating your department and employees’ requests.

Will flexible work arrangements work in your unit?
Managers will need to evaluate:

  • Business Need
  • Position Suitability
  • Employee Suitability/Eligibility
  • Supervisory Approach
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To support managers with reviewing flexible work arrangement options, we have pulled together a variety of resources.

Staff Workforce Planning Template

Managers will need to review their department as a whole and determine if flexible work arrangements align with the departments mission, objectives, services, and service hours. Managers will need to forecast the needs of the workforce and assess if a blend of flexible work arrangements can be supported. To support managers with this task, we have created a Staff Workforce Planning Template which allows managers to rethink schedules. use of onsite space and challenges to re-imagine the employee experience.

Evaluating Flexible Work Opportunities: a guide for exploring the decision-making process

To evaluate each flexible work arrangement request, a guide and assessment have been created to assist managers with the review process. Each review will focus on multiple factors to consider when exploring the possibility of a flexible work arrangement.

  • Section 1: Evaluating Business Need
  • Section 2: Position Suitability
  • Section 3: Employee Suitability
  • Section 4: Supervisory Approach
  • Section 5: Team Effectiveness

Flexible Work Arrangement Suitability Assessment

The Flexible Work Arrangement Suitability Assessment can be completed in conjunction with the guide to help the manager review whether a flexible work arrangement is feasible. Additionally, approval and denial letter templates have also been created to assist with creating a streamlined and formal follow-up process for all requests.

See additional resources located on the left side panel. Please connect with your Human Resources Business Partner or contact Human Resources to discuss any questions or specifics related to working with your employees.

 

Flexible Work Arrangement Request & Approval Processes

   Requesting a flexible schedule:

   Requesting a telework arrangement:

  • Employee submits a Telework Arrangement Form through Cherwell.
    • The Telework Arrangement Form is completed to help the manager and employee have a shared understanding of the details of the telework arrangement.
  • Manager reviews and determines if the telework arrangement is approved or denied.
  • The final approval or denial is automatically communicated through the Cherwell System to the employee.

Information for Employees

If you think a flexible work arrangement is something you are interested in, please contact your manager to see what options are available for you. If a flexible work arrangement is an option, please follow the process outlined below to request the appropriate arrangement based on your needs.

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Requesting a flexible schedule:

  • Determine which flexible schedule you are going to request:
    • Varied start and end times
    • Mealtime flex
    • Seasonal Adjustments
  • Fill out and submit Flexible Work Arrangement Request Form to your manager
  • Your manager will review and determine if the proposed flexible work schedule is approved or denied and will communicate the decision to you.
  • If your flexible work schedule is approved, you will work with your manager to review and agree upon expectations, as well as set up a timeline to review the arrangement periodically (recommended to review at least every 6 months).

Requesting a telework arrangement:

  • Employee submits a Telework Arrangement Form through Cherwell.
    • The Telework Arrangement Form is completed to help the manager and employee have a shared understanding of the details of the telework arrangement.
  • Your manager will review and determine if the proposed telework arrangement is approved or denied.
  • Approval or Denial will automatically be communicated to you from the Cherwell System.