PS 02.B.17 - Alternative Work Arrangements Policy (Interim)
Effective Date: 06/29/2023
Issue #: 4
President: Loren J. Blanchard
1. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to describe the University of Houston-Downtown's policy and procedures for alternative work arrangements in accordance with Texas Government Code, §658.010 and §659.018. This policy only applies to staff employees, not to faculty or student employees.
The University of Houston-Downtown endeavors to foster a work environment that maximizes productivity and flexibility for supervisors and staff. To promote general work and campus space efficiencies, the University may permit or direct employees to work at alternate work locations for all or part of the workweek.
At the discretion of the University, employees may be allowed short- or long-term alternative work arrangements, provided they continue to serve their customers effectively and efficiently and meet established institutional and departmental goals. Alternative work arrangements may be implemented as a means of achieving administrative efficiencies, improving productivity and job performance, supporting business continuity plans, and supporting the hiring and retention of a highly competent workforce.
2. Definitions
2.1 Alternative Work Arrangements (AWA) are a variation in where a job is performed (Alternate Work Locations) or the time the work is performed (Alternate Work Schedules).
2.2 Alternate Work Locations: Approved work sites other than the employee's regularly assigned place of employment where official University business is performed. Such locations may include, but are not limited to, the employee's home and satellite offices. Work locations must be disclosed and approved as part of the Alternative Work Agreement Form. Work locations must be located in the State of Texas and also must be reasonably close enough to the University campus so, if necessary, the employee can be physically present at their regularly assigned place of employment within two hours of being contacted.
2.3 Alternate Work Schedules: A modified work schedule with variable arrival, departure and/or lunch times. It is typically designed to enable employees to come in earlier or leave later than the University's normal hours of operation. This approach must enable the department to ensure necessary office coverage, and customer service and staff interactions must be maintained during the core hours. Alternate work schedules can be scheduled long-term or short-term, for individual instances where an employee works extra time on one day to work a shorter day on another. Long-term alternate work schedules require approval by the supervisor and department head.
Permissible Alternate Work Schedules are:
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 8:30 to 5:30 p.m.; 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Exceptions to these schedules must be approved by the appropriate department head.
2.3 Compressed Workweek: The scheduling of a traditional 40-hour week into fewer than five full days by adjusting the number of hours worked per day. An example of a compressed schedule is working four, ten-hour days per workweek, with one full workday off each week
2.4 Essential Personnel: The group of employees who are critical to the continuation of key operations and services that directly relate to the health, safety, and welfare of the University. Essential personnel ensure continuity of key and mission-critical operations and maintain and protect University property, especially during emergency or administrative closures and other extraordinary situations. In general, an "essential" employee is an employee whose job duties affect the security, safety, or physical operation of the University (including providing services to students). The definition of essential personnel can vary depending on the circumstances.
2.5 Hybrid Work: The performance of normal work duties both on-campus at the employee's regularly assigned place of employment where official University business is performed and off-campus at an alternate work location. Hybrid work can occur at an alternate work location for up to two days per week or, for part-time employees, up to 40% of their hours. Hybrid work must be approved by the appropriate department head and division Vice President.
2.6 Normal Hours of Operation:
2.6.1 The University of Houston-Downtown's (UHD) normal workweek begins at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday and extends through the seven-day period ending at midnight the following Tuesday.
2.6.2 All staff employees paid on a full-time basis are required to work a minimum of 40 hours per workweek unless on approved leave status.
2.6.3 Part-time employees employed at less than 100 percent FTE are expected to work those hours designated by the employing department as necessary to fulfill the requirements of their positions. Such hours of work shall be consistent with the FTE of the particular position.
2.6.4 Texas Government Code, Chapter 658.005 defines normal working hours for state agencies as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, faculty may have working hours before or after these hours, including weekends. Some staff, because of the nature of services they render, may also be scheduled to work varied hours and days.
2.6.5 Texas Government Code, Chapter 658.005 requires that state offices remain open during the noon hour with at least one person on duty to accept calls, receive visitors, or transact business.
2.7 Public-Facing Positions: Relating to jobs that involve direct interaction with members of the internal/external community, such as faculty, staff, students, prospective students, and alumni.
2.8 Regularly Assigned Place of Employment (Principal Location): The location on the University campus where an employee usually and customarily reports for work. The regularly assigned place of employment is considered an employee's workstation for all pay, leave and travel purposes.
2.9 Remote Work: The performance of normal work duties 100% remotely by an employee at a location away from the employee's regularly assigned place of employment. This remote location is most often the employee's home but can also be a satellite office. Positions eligible for 100% remote work must be classified as such by Human Resources in conjunction with the division Vice President. Employees approved for remote work are required to work on campus at least one day per month as directed by their supervisor, as well as attend campus-wide events and departmental meetings in person.
2.10 Satellite Office: Office located at one of UHD's off-campus locations, including Lone Star College (LSC)-Cy-Fair, LSC-Kingwood, UHD Northwest, and UHD at Houston Community College (HCC) Coleman College.
2.11 Short-Term/Temporary Alternative Work Arrangement: the occasional or short-term (maximum of 30 workdays per fiscal year) performance of normal work duties at an alternate work location. Prior approval by the employee's supervisor is required.
2.12 Work schedule: The employee's hours of work in the regularly assigned place of employment or alternate work location.
3. Policy
3.1 An employee of the University shall, during normal office hours, conduct University business only at the employee's principal work location or assigned temporary place of employment unless the employee is traveling or received prior written authorization.
It is the policy of the University to permit alternative work arrangements when they are in the best interest of the University and when they will maintain the employee's productivity. This policy covers all alternative work arrangements, including, but not limited to: remote work (100% off-campus), hybrid work (some work on-campus and some off-campus), compressed workweek (ex. 4 ten-hour days a week), alternate work schedules (ex. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and temporary alternate work locations (off-campus work on occasion)
3.2 Alternative Work Arrangements
3.2.1 Requests for occasional remote work on an as-needed basis will be considered by the employee's immediate supervisor. If a year-long arrangement is sought, it must be reviewed and approved by the employee's supervisor, respective department head, and vice president.
3.2.2 Requests for alternative work arrangements (AWA) will be accepted year round.
3.2.3 Once the AWA application is completed, all alternative work arrangement requests will be routed to (1) supervisor, (2) department head, and (3) division Vice President. This process will allow the department head and vice president to assess if approving all requests will limit the department's ability to provide the coverage required without jeopardizing the department's level of service and operation.
3.2.4 Approved alternative work arrangements are effective for up to one year at a time. However, there may be instances where the arrangement is suspended in order to accommodate critical semester functions, such as, commencement, registration and year-end processing.
3.2.5 Arrangements for an alternative work arrangement cannot cause or contribute to the need for additional staff or for existing staff to perform additional duties or work overtime hours. Arrangements must not adversely affect the services provided to students and/or internal/external customers of the University. The quality, quantity and timeliness of a participating employee's work must be maintained or enhanced.
3.2.6 Alternative work arrangements must be reviewed no less than once per year to assess continued feasibility. The availability of alternative work arrangements is not intended to replace a department's regular hours of operation.
3.2.7 Alternative work arrangements may be modified or discontinued at the discretion of management at any time and for any reason.
3.2.8 The alternate work location for any alternative work arrangement must be located in the State of Texas and reasonably close enough to the University so, if necessary, the employee can be physically present at their regularly assigned place of employment within two hours of being contacted.
3.2.9 Alternative work arrangements are voluntary and do not change the conditions of employment or required compliance with University policies and procedures. Alternative work arrangements do not alter an employee's at-will status. All existing terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, the job description, salary, benefits, vacation, sick leave, and overtime pay remain the same.
3.3 Employee Eligibility and Position Requirements
3.3.1 Positions that may be considered for alternative work arrangements are those that:
A. Have job functions that can be performed at a location other than the employee's regularly assigned place of employment without diminishing the quality of the work or disrupting the productivity of the department or unit.
B. Do not require an employee's presence at the regularly assigned place of employment on a daily or routine basis.
C. Allow for the employee to be as effectively supervised as they would be if the job functions were performed at the regularly assigned place of employment.
D. Have an emphasis on the electronic production and/or exchange of information by means of computers, modems, fax machines or phones.
E. Involve measurable or quantifiable work product.
F. Have minimal or flexible need for specialized materials or equipment available only at the regularly assigned place of employment.
3.3.2 Alternative work arrangements are appropriate for employees who:
A. Have the demonstrated abilities to successfully organize, manage time, work independently and productively with minimal supervision;
B. Have demonstrated a thorough knowledge and understanding of their job functions and the equipment required for the alternative work arrangement;
C. Have access to an alternate work location that is safe and free from interruptions; and
D. Are able to provide the security necessary to adequately protect any University information and equipment used at an alternate work location.
3.3.3 To be eligible for participation in an alternative work arrangement an employee must:
A. Have been employed at the University of Houston-Downtown for at least 90 days. This 90-day requirement also applies to employees transferring to a different department. The employee's respective vice president may approve earlier participation in an alternative work arrangement.
B. Hold a position within a work group or unit which, according to their supervisor, lends itself to flexibility in location or schedule.
C. Have not been subject to disciplinary action or a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) within the past six months.
D. Have received a performance rating of meets or exceeds expectations in the most recent annual performance evaluation process. If there is no performance review on file, the employee must meet their supervisor's performance expectations.
3.3.4 Positions that may not be suited to alternative work arrangements are those that:
A. Are public-facing
B. Require routine access to information or materials that are available only at the regularly assigned place of employment
3.3.5 A non-exempt employee must maintain a 40-hour workweek. An employee who is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must maintain either a 40-hour workweek or an 80-hour schedule over two consecutive workweeks. An alternate work schedule does not reduce the hours an exempt employee must work to complete job requirements. Alternate work schedules must occur in the same workweek.
3.3.6 On occasion, alternative work arrangements may be discontinued in order to deliver key services affecting the welfare of the University and/or critical student services. Examples of such times include registration, commencement, opening semester activities, and campus-wide events. When this occurs, staff will be required to comply with the alternative work arrangement change.
3.4 Use of Equipment
3.4.1 An employee approved to work remotely must have high-speed internet access (DSL, cable modem, etc.) and use only University-approved software from their alternate work location. Use of a personal computer is permitted. (Consult Section 4.1.1.B.3 of this policy for more details on the use of a personal computer.)
3.4.2 The employee is responsible for providing workspace, telephone, printing, networking and/or internet capabilities at their alternate work location at their own expense.
3.4.3 The employee must always use a current and supported operating system with the latest security updates, run current anti-virus software and follow University security rules, copyright laws, and procedures. Remote work employees must follow all other software licensing and copyright laws, as well as all precautions and requirements related to working at the alternate work location.
3.4.4 University-owned equipment and University office supplies are only to be used for official University work needs and business in accordance with University policy. Remote work employees must agree to protect University-owned equipment, records and materials from unauthorized or accidental access, use, modification, disclosure or destruction.
3.4.5 Employees authorized to work remotely must understand and agree that all equipment, records, and materials provided by the University remain the property of the University.
3.4.6 No protected health information or other confidential and/or proprietary information may be stored on personal electronic equipment.
3.4.7 UHD IT support will be limited to what IT personnel can do remotely; if issues cannot be addressed remotely, employee must bring equipment to campus. IT personnel shall not visit the employee's alternate work location to address any computer or software issues.
3.5 Work Documentation, Timekeeping and Leave
3.5.1 Participating employees and supervisors should identify work items for review and discussion on an ongoing basis to ensure that tasks are fully described and timely performed and/or completed.
3.5.2 Timekeeping. Participating non-exempt employees will be required to maintain accurate time accounting documentation to support their work hours.
A. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees are compensated in pay or with compensatory time for overtime approved by the supervisor in advance in accordance with the FLSA provisions.
3.5.3 Pursuant to established University policies, employees must obtain supervisory approval before taking accrued and available leave.
3.6 Liability
3.6.1 The University assumes no liability for injury at the remote work site to any person who would not be in the work area if the duties were being performed at the employee's regularly assigned place of employment.
3.6.2 An employee injured while working remotely must notify their supervisor and the Benefits team immediately and complete all required documentation. Workers Compensation benefits may apply to injuries arising out of and in the course and scope of employment.
3.6.3 The University is not liable for any damages that may result from remote work. The employee is liable for any equipment lost, stolen, or damaged, including because of negligence, misuse, or abuse. The University is not liable for operating costs, home maintenance, or any other incidental costs such as utilities, telephone, insurance, internet, etc.
3.7 Termination
3.7.1 The University, including the employee's supervisor can discontinue the employee's participation in an alternative work arrangement at any time and for any reason.
3.7.2 Employees may request their alternative work arrangement be terminated by providing their supervisor with two business days written notice, if possible.
3.7.3 The University is not liable for any costs, damages, and/or losses arising out of or relating to the termination of the alternative work arrangement.
4. Procedures
4.1 Employee Responsibilities
4.1.1 It is within the discretion of the immediate supervisor and department head to approve or deny an employee's alternative work arrangement request. Staff interested in alternative work arrangements must:
A. Determine if their position is eligible for alternative work arrangements by reviewing the Alternative Work Options list. If their position is eligible and the employee is interested in pursuing an Alternative Work Arrangement, they must
1. Complete the AWA Form found on the HR website.
2. Complete remote work training. The required training may be accessed in the Training Access Portal (TAP). The Training Access Portal (TAP) training is only required once.
In addition, employees must complete a minimum of one (1) hour of online learning activities that focus on maintaining productivity while working remotely. The required training may be accessed in LinkedIn Learning by selecting Working Remotely (Non-Managers). The learning activities are required once per year.
3. Attach verification of completion of required training and learning activities to the AWA form and forward to supervisor for approval.
B. In addition to the application procedure, employees must:
1. Have access to the necessary resources to perform their essential job functions and any other assigned activity(ies).
2. Have access to electrical outlets, cellular network and/or landline phone access and internet connectivity to conduct University business at their own expense.
3. Connect to the Virtual Private Network (VPN) when accessing data stored on the University network and follow the Work from Home IT Security Guidelines if using their personal computer.
4. Ensure the remote work location is free from non-work-related events and activities that would disrupt or interfere with work.
5. Ensure the remote work location is safe and free of all hazards and is able to keep any confidential and/or sensitive information or data safe and secure.
6. Be willing and able to securely dispose of any confidential and/or sensitive information.
7. Understand that no confidential or proprietary information or data may be downloaded, placed, or maintained on a non-University device or equipment
8. Be available for communication and contact during remote work as if they would if working at their regularly assigned place of employment. Employees and their supervisors shall agree on how their communications should be handled. During the agreed upon work schedule, it is expected that the participating employee shall be available for contact by phone, email, and/or video conferencing throughout the workday. Employees may be required to have their cameras on while video conferencing.
9. Be willing to report to the regularly assigned place of employment upon the supervisor's request when operational needs require. Employees will be given as much advance notice as feasible under the circumstances presented.
10. Meet deadlines, produce quality work, and sustain acceptable levels of work performance.
11. Discuss with their supervisor any change to the alternative workplace arrangement once it is established, including termination of the arrangement.
12. Understand and agree to all University of Houston-Downtown, University of Houston System and State of Texas Codes and policies that apply to the alternative workplace arrangement.
13. Understand that all leave policies and procedures continue to apply regardless of whether the work is being performed on-campus or from a remote location.
14. Understand and agree that information or data related to University business is subject to collection and review by the University.
15. Follow the same dress code during business hours and business-related events as when working on campus.
4.2 Supervisor Responsibilities
4.2.1 When employees request an alternative work arrangement, supervisors must:
1. Review the request to determine the employee's eligibility and evaluate departmental issues/needs that may be impacted by the alternative work arrangement.
2. Ensure the employee completed the remote work training in TAP, as well as a minimum of one (1) hour of online learning activities that focus on maintaining productivity while working remotely.
3. Regardless of a supervisor's intent to participate in an Alternative Work Arrangement, the supervisor of an employee participating in an Alternative Work Arrangement must complete remote work training. The required training is available in the Training Access Portal (TAP). The Training Access Portal (TAP) training is only required once.
Additionally, the supervisor of an employee participating in an Alternative Work Arrangement must complete a minimum of one (1) hour of learning activities that focus on effectively managing remote employees. This training may be accessed in LinkedIn Learning by selecting Working Remotely (Managers). These learning activities are required once per year.
4. Confirm employee has access to resources necessary to perform any assigned activity when working from an alternate work location.
4.2.2 Supervisors should consider the following criteria when deciding whether to approve an alternative work arrangement:
A. The level of student and/or faculty interface of the unit and/or employee.
B. The impact on the unit's ability to fulfill its mission.
C. Whether the productivity of the employee can be maintained.
D. If the employee will be able to follow University rules, procedures and policies; and
E. If doing so is in the best interest of the University.
4.2.3 Supervisors must follow the steps below for employees approved for alternative work arrangements:
1. Determine and monitor eligibility for employee's participation in the alternative work arrangement.
2. Be clear regarding performance and conduct expectations, including identifying and establishing key performance indicators.
3. Develop a system for assessing the employee's quality of work, responsiveness, work effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity regularly while on an alternative work arrangement, ensuring the employee fully meets all job responsibilities and performance expectations.
4. Ensure that the employee has adequate and appropriate safeguards in place before providing the employee with access to any confidential and/or sensitive information.
5. Maintain optimal services and operation of their departments.
6. Understand that all University policies apply to the alternative work arrangement, including whether the employee is performing remote or hybrid work, working a compressed workweek, working an alternate work schedule, and/or working at temporary alternate work locations. this includes ensuring that the employee's performance evaluation is completed each year.
4.3 Employees requesting short-term or occasional alternative work arrangements must consult with and receive approval from their immediate supervisor.
4.4 Employees requesting long-term alternative work arrangements must follow the steps outlined in section 4.1.
5. Review Process
Responsible Party (Reviewer): Vice President for Human Resources
Review: Every year on or before August 1st.
Signed original on file in Human Resources.
6. Policy History
Issue #1: 05/06/22
Issue #2: 07/29/22
Issue #3: 12/16/22
7. References
Texas Government Code § 658.010
Texas Government Code § 659.018
Alternative Work Agreement Form