Flexible Workplace

An employee of the university shall, during normal office hours, conduct agency business only at the employee’s regular or assigned temporary place of employment unless the employee:

is traveling

received prior written authorization from the administrative head of the employing state agency to perform work elsewhere

The employee’s personal residence may not be considered the employee’s regular or assigned temporary place of employment without prior written authorization from the employee’s division vice president. The division vice president can discontinue the employee’s participation in the flexible workplace initiative at any time.

Department Chairs and Directors must obtain approval for participation by any employee from the Dean, Director of Business Operation and the Provost.  Approval can be sought via a memo demonstrating the following points:

A.  Evaluation of department issues/needs that may be impacted by flexible work scheduling.

B.  Development of a system for assessing work done by any employee off-site or under an alternative work schedule.

C.  Responsibility for demonstrating employee and department productivity.

D.  Responsibility for determining and monitoring eligibility for employee participation in the program.

E.  Responsibility for maintaining optimal services and operation of their departments.

F.  Understanding that all human resources policies apply whether the employee is working from home or an alternative location or on an alternative work schedule. Sick leave and vacation polices must be adhered to and leave time monitored.

 

Employee Responsibilities

Employees must:

A. Have been employed at University of Houston for at least one year.

B. Hold a position which, according to their supervisor, lends itself to flexibility in location or schedule.

C. Be under no disciplinary action.

D. Have demonstrated to their supervisor’s satisfaction the ability to work independently of their supervisor and peers.

E. Be responsible for making sure they have access to any resources necessary to perform any assigned activity when working from an alternative location.

F. Have access to a computer and telephone that they are willing to use for university business.

G. Be able to complete any task assigned in a location at which any sensitive information or data can be kept secure.

H. Be willing and able to securely dispose of any secure information.

I. Discuss with their supervisor any change to the work schedule once it is established, including termination of participation in the program.

J. Understand that all human resources policies apply whether the employee is working from home or an alternative location or on an alternative work schedule. Sick leave and vacation polices must be adhered to and leave time monitored.

Flextime Approval Form

College Release Program

The College Program is an educational benefit that allows full-time employees who have completed at least six months of employment to have release time from work to attend a college course.   This means that up to 3 hours per week may be taken during normal working hours to attend a college course, yet a full 40 hours of wages will be paid to the employee.

Please note that online courses, evening courses and study time do not qualify for the college release program.  The intent is simply to allow employees to physically attend a course during working hours that they would not normally be able to due to their work schedule.