University of Nebraska leaders on Monday announced a new Alternative Worksite Policy that outlines processes for staff seeking remote or hybrid work arrangements.
The policy, available in full here, applies to all administrative, office and service, managerial/professional and student employees across the NU System. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2023.
In an email to all staff, NU System President Ted Carter and the system’s four chancellors wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic has led many organizations to have conversations about the nature of work, and the University of Nebraska is no exception.
NU’s new policy “makes sense for the University of Nebraska,” Carter and the chancellors wrote – underscoring the value of a vibrant, in-person campus environment, while also recognizing that flexible work environments are important to many current and prospective employees.
In accordance with the policy, the following processes apply for those seeking flexible work arrangements:
- Staff already working remotely all or part of the time may retain the same level of flexibility with their supervisor’s approval. They are required to fill out an Alternative Worksite Form, which will be available in Firefly beginning Monday, Dec. 12, and submit it to their supervisor no later than Jan. 31, 2023. Staff requesting to work remotely for more than 50% of their time will also need approval from their campus vice chancellor for business and finance. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are expected to be subject to annual approval. Staff members do not need to make any changes to their schedule while they go through the request and approval process.
- Staff not doing any remote work now but who would like to going forward should fill out the Alternative Worksite Form and submit it to their supervisor.
- Staff who only work remotely occasionally (for example, an occasional period away from the office for any personal or professional reason) do not need to take any action. In other words, the Alternative Worksite Form is required only for those seeking remote or hybrid work on a regular, ongoing basis.
- There are limited instances where employees will work outside Nebraska. Employees may work from states where tax and employment laws are similar to Nebraska’s. The small number of employees who are working in states where tax and employment laws are not comparable with Nebraska’s are receiving communication from Human Resources on their options and next steps.
Complete details on the Alternative Worksite Policy, including Q&As on remote, hybrid and out-of-state work, are available here.
UNMC staff members with questions are invited to contact Sarah Gloden Carlson, JD, UNMC’s assistant vice chancellor and director for human resources, via email at this link.
The Alternative Worksite Policy does not currently apply to faculty. A system-wide working group of faculty members and administrators is being formed to evaluate issues related to out-of-state faculty work. More information will be communicated to faculty as the group’s work progresses.