New policy on flexwork arrangements provides guidance for supervisors, employees
A new policy at Mississippi State defines flexible work arrangements that achieve a reliable and productive work environment for both the employee and the university.
The new policy is the result of a task force comprised of faculty, staff and administrators who have worked on the topic for more than a year. It defines the different types of flexwork arrangements, establishes procedures for implementation, and provides important considerations for both supervisors and employees considering flexwork.
MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw summarized the work as an effort “to balance the challenges of flexwork and the fact that we are a face-to-face institution with the need to have a policy that allows this when it is best for all involved.”
The policy states “MSU’s primary delivery of instruction, outreach, and engagement with our students and our colleagues remains through in-person interactions. As such, it is imperative that we strike a balance between employees working on-site and remote in order to maintain collegiality and service to our community.”
Additionally:
-- Flexwork arrangements are established by each department or unit based on needs and benefits with approval from the appropriate vice president. The availability of flexible work options may change as we evolve in how we do our work.
-- Flexwork should only be considered for positions when the following criteria are met: (1) the job duties can be performed with an alternative schedule and/or from a flexible work location; (2) the arrangement can mutually benefit both the employee and university; (3) the work can be appropriately monitored; and (4) the flexible arrangement does not result in an additional burden to the university either financially or otherwise. Each flexwork arrangement should include a specific set of expectations unique to the employee, the supervisor, and the job.
Shaw noted “We will be reevaluating this on a regular basis at the institutional level. We will also have supervisors regularly evaluate, and if the employee or supervisor is not satisfied that the flexwork arrangement is suitable, the supervisors are expected to change or rescind the agreement.”
View the full policy online at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/60324.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
Allison Matthews | Public Affairs
