Human Resources Information Center

Introduction

Appalachian State University recognizes that flexible work arrangements may promote the recruitment and retention of a highly qualified workforce, economies with respect to facility utilization and other institutional operating expenses, and staff engagement and productivity. Accordingly, university managers may implement flexible work arrangements to meet operational needs and to provide enhanced flexibility to both employees and management, pursuant to the provisions of this policy. Flexible work arrangements may not be available to all employees, based on the nature of their work, and the policy does not create a guarantee, right, or entitlement to any specific flexible work arrangement for any employee.

Sporadic, nonrecurring work flexibility to address short-term operational or employee circumstances may be granted by management discretion and is not subject to the requirements of the Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. 

However, regular, structured, recurring, long-term adjustments to an employee's work schedule or location, require the completion of a Flexible Work Arrangement Agreement Form in Banner 9 Employee Self-Service. 

Philosophy

The University considers in-person engagement with colleagues, constituents, and the larger campus community to be an important part of the employment relationship.  Accordingly, it is generally required that approved remote work arrangements be hybrid arrangements involving a combination of on-site and remote work.  Full-time remote work arrangements may be approved by management only in exceptional circumstances necessary to meet specific operational needs of the University and/or when necessary to fill vacancies or retain employees in critical positions where the full functions of the position can be performed remotely.

Policies

Duty Station - An employee’s designated on-site university work site. All employees must have a designated work site at a university facility, which is considered their duty station regardless of any approved flexible work arrangement.

Flexible Schedule Arrangements - Structured, recurring adjustments to an employee’s daily and/or weekly work schedule such as adjustments to the start and end times of an employee’s scheduled work day and/or adjustments to an employee’s scheduled workweek.

Flexible Work Arrangements - Structured, recurring adjustments to an employee’s scheduled work hours, scheduled workweek, and/or customary work location. Note: Sporadic, nonrecurring work flexibility to address short-term operational or employee circumstances may be granted by management discretion and is not subject to the requirements of this policy.

Reasonable Commuting Distance - Employees approved for remote work arrangements are expected to work within a reasonable commuting distance to their designated on-site duty station, to be able to report to their duty station within a practical period of time when directed due to operational needs and/or changes to or revocation of their flexible work arrangements. Exceptions may be made to the reasonable commuting distance based on operational needs and/or when necessary to fill critical vacancies.

Remote Work Arrangements - Recurring adjustments to an employee’s customary work location involving the employee performing assigned work from a location other than their designated university duty station.

Process

Flexible Work Arrangements may be initiated by the manager or the employee using a Flexible Work Arrangement Agreement Form, located in Banner 9 Employee Self-Service. All proposed flexible work arrangements require approval by the employee, the employee’s immediate supervisor, the employee’s second-level supervisor, and the Office of Human Resources for compliance.

Procedures

All flexible work arrangements must be requested, approved, and documented using a Flexible Work Arrangement Agreement Form, located in Banner 9 Employee Self-Service, and follow the procedures below.

Frequently Asked Questions About FWA

Key Contacts

Coming soon...

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