Flexible Work Arrangements

Overview:

To share college-specific information regarding flexible work arrangements, along with additional resources and links. The College follows the university’s guidance and policies on work arrangements.

Relevant Definitions:

FWA: Flexible Work Arrangement; for the purposes of this page, an annual proposal to allow a COLA staff member to request a change to their regularly scheduled work hours, or to request one or more days of their regular work schedule in a location other than campus.

• IMPORTANT: The University starts with an expectation that all staff employees will be on site full-time during the week.

COLA HR: Liberal Arts Human Resources Team

Process:

1. Employees whose positions are eligible for flexible work must complete a Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA) request form and seek approvals prior to implementing a revised work schedule. For more information about requirements and eligibility, please refer to the university’s Staff Work Arrangement Conditions and the Staff Work Arrangement Review and Approval Process.

   1. Approval routing in COLA:

      1. Direct Supervisor

      2. Optional Signature = Unit Head (e.g., Chair or Director)

         1. In rare cases of 100% remote work, the COLA HR Director, Tamela Walker, would be the required ‘optional’ signer.

2. Once an FWA has been signed by the employee, their supervisor, and the unit head, the request paperwork should be sent to the HR contact for that unit (e.g., department manager or senior staff person), if they have not already been involved.

3. The HR Contact is responsible for uploading completed FWA forms to COLA’s FWA submission portal so that COLA HR can assist with oversight and compliance.

   1. COLA HR will follow-up via email if additional information is needed.

4. After initial approval and submission to COLA, FWAs need to be renewed and re-uploaded to the COLA portal on an annual basis, at the beginning of the academic year.

   1. Please also note, per university guidance: “FWAs are not considered permanent and may end at any time for any reason, including performance concerns, organizational needs, or team structural changes.”

Related Policies:

• HOP 5-2110 Work Schedule

• HOP 5-2130: Telecommuting

Other Links:

Staff Work Arrangements (Central HR Webpage) - The link to the current FWA Form is maintained on their page.

• Staff Work Arrangement Conditions

• Staff Work Arrangement Review and Approval Process

Out of State and International Work