Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexible work arrangements are any arrangements that provide an employee alternatives to working regularly scheduled hours in the office or typical work location. Flexibility can be carried out without changing a department’s regular hours of operation or altering the responsibility or authority of managers. 

Types of Flexible Work Arrangements 

• Flexible work schedule 
• Varied start and end times 
• Mealtime flex 
• Seasonal adjustments 
• Telework 

Manager information

As a manager, you will need to review your department and decide if flexible work arrangements align with its goals, services and hours. To decide if flexible work arrangements will work in your unit, a manager has several things to consider. 

• Business need 
• Position suitability 
• Employee suitability
• Supervisory approach 

Managers will need to forecast the needs of the workforce and assess if a blend of flexible work arrangements can be supported. To support managers with this task, we have created a Staff Workforce Planning Template which allows managers to rethink schedules. use of onsite space and challenges to re-imagine the employee experience. 

The Flexible Work Arrangement Suitability Assessment can be completed with the guide to help the manager review a flexible work arrangement. Please connect with your Human Resources Business Partner or contact Human Resources to discuss any questions or specifics related to working with your employees. 

• Staff Workforce Planning Template (PDF)
• Evaluating Flexible Work Opportunities Guide(PDF)
• Flexible Work Arrangement Suitability Assessment (PDF)

Flexible work request process

Flexible schedule request

• Employee sends a Flexible Work Arrangement Request Form (PDF). 
• Manager reviews and decides if flexible work schedule is approved or denied and communicates to employee. 
  • If helpful, manager can complete Flexible Work Arrangement Suitability Assessment (PDF) to make a decision. 
• Manager must communicate to the employee and document whether a request is approved or denied. 
  • Template for Flex Schedule Approval 
  • Template for Flex Schedule Denial 

Telework arrangement request

• Employee sends a Telework Arrangement Form through Cherwell. 
  • The Telework Arrangement Form is completed to help the manager and employee understand the details of the telework arrangement. 
• Manager reviews and decides if the telework arrangement is approved or denied. 
  • If helpful, manager can complete Flexible Work Arrangement Suitability Assessment to make a decision. 
  • Telework Arrangements need more Department Review through Cherwell. 
• The final approval or denial is automatically communicated through the Cherwell System to the employee. 

Employee information

If a flexible work arrangement is something you are interested in, please contact your manager to see what options are available. If a flexible work arrangement is a possibility, please follow the process outlined below to request the proper arrangement.

Flexible schedule request

• Decide which flexible schedule you are going to request: 
  • Varied start and end times 
  • Mealtime flex 
  • Seasonal adjustments 
• Fill out and send Flexible Work Arrangement Request Form (PDF) to your manager 
• Your manager will review and decide if the proposed flexible work schedule is approved or denied and will communicate the decision to you. 
• If your flexible work schedule is approved, you will work with your manager to review and agree on expectations and set up a timeline to review the arrangement periodically (recommended to review at least every 6 months). 

Telework arrangement request

• Employee sends a Telework Arrangement Form through Cherwell. 
  • The Telework Arrangement Form is completed to help the manager and employee understand the details of the telework arrangement. 
• Your manager will review and decide if the proposed telework arrangement is approved or denied. 
• Approval or denial will automatically be communicated to you from the Cherwell System.