Managing Alternative Work Arrangements
There may be times when an employee's work has a need to be done remotely (including hourly, limited work off site, and student workers). When this occurs, managers and employees should work together to develop a telework work plan to complete special assignments, projects, job-related reading, or training.
Read Baylor's Alternate Work Location Policy
In developing a hybrid or remote work plan, managers should be mindful of employees who may not have internet access or technology that can be used remotely. Some training recommendations are included at the end of this article.
As a reminder, our employees have different jobs and responsibilities and the modifications we are able to make to their work will vary based on those differences. Options may include: reallocating resources based on critical areas of needed support, providing shift work or alternating schedules. There will not be one solution that works for or is right for everyone. Managers and employees should work with their HR Consultant if there is a need for hybrid/remote work. Your flexibility and support are indispensable as we assist employees with hybrid or remote work when necessary.
Flexible Scheduling
Subject to the needs of the University, managers should consider flexible work arrangements on a case by case bases when necessary. For example, having employees work on-site with reduced shifts (fewer hours or fewer days). This can be coupled with remote work assignments, including online training, for the time not spent on-site.
Managers may also find it useful to create shifts or rotate shifts to meet the demands of the employee and/or department for continued coverage of activities or needed on campus support.
Reallocation of Resources
When positions cannot be supported either in part or in whole, by remote work, managers may reallocate staff into departments or positions that have a need for additional personnel support. This may be within the same division or may be needed to support other areas of campus. Managers should reach out to their campus partners and work with their HR Consultant if looking to redeploy staff into other schools or divisions.
Use of Leave Benefits
For specific guidance and applying such guidance to specific situations, please consult with your HR Consultant.
Training, Learning and Development Recommendations
As part of developing a remote work plan, managers should work with their employees to identify opportunities for training, learning and development. Managers can review training records of their employees through Ignite and prioritize any past due trainings that would be available to complete.
We also recommend checking out learning paths from our partners at LinkedIn Learning and RightNow Media @ Work which provide development opportunities that all members of our Baylor community can access. Some managers may find it beneficial to start a professional development book study for engagement and learning activities while managing remote work.
Remote Work Resources
- Tips for managing remote work:
- Be sure your employee has proper technology to conduct work remotely;
- Be sure you have current phone numbers for contacting employees when needed;
- Be sure your employee has the connectivity needed to work remotely;
- Does your employee have a designated workspace that allows for minimal distractions during the scheduled work hours;
- Does your employee have headphones or earbuds to participate in conversations that require more privacy;
- Keep your scheduled 1:1 meetings with your staff for a check on work status as well as continued availability;
- Make sure you have designated a menas for video conferencing and conference phone calls;
- Have your employees create a log of activities for the day so that you can address ongoing needs or shift work responsibilities if needed;
- Have employee use Microsoft Teams calls for their work related phone calls so they can retrieve voice messages and remain accessible to contacts;
- Expect consistency in remote work schedules and ask staff to notify you when unable to work a regularly scheduled day.
- For managers seeking additional guidance on how to manager remote workers, we encourage you to use:
- Technology-related guidance and resources for telecommuting are available on the ITS website.
