By SUSAN JONES
Even before the pandemic, Pitt was moving toward updating its flexible work policy, but the closing of offices in March 2020 sped up the process.
Now more than three years later, the University has approved a permanent policy on flexible work for staff, student workers and temporary employees.
Former Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said last year that the forced need for hybrid work models “broke a myth, and the myth was that the only way to support the University was to be physically present from eight to five.”
An interim policy was put in place in July 2021 as many staff began returning to campus on a hybrid schedule to reduce the number of workers in a particular space, accommodate employees with underlying health conditions, and allow for social distancing.
In February, the Office of Human Resources reported that there were 2,230 employees with flexible work agreements — down from 4,400 in fall of 2021. Those agreements varied both by work hours and location. Of the 2,230, there were 144 employee with agreements for fully remote arrangements.
Up until now, anyone with a flexible work agreement has had to renew it annually. The new permanent policy has no arbitrary time duration for agreements. The policy only requires renewals when there is a change in location or schedule lasting 30 days or longer.
But the Office of Human Resources is requiring that everyone working in a hybrid or remote location or those who are working a flexed schedule complete a new Flexible Work Agreement using the new form and process, even if they have an agreement that has not expired. This will make the Flexible Work Agreement Forms align with the Permanent Flex Work Policy.
The policy applies to all full- and part-time staff, including temporary employees and student workers. Employees who have or plan to have a Flexible Work Agreement going forward must have a new agreement completed and submitted in full by end of day on Oct. 31, 2023.
After that time, agreements will only be accepted for new employees or if an agreement on file for a current employee needs to be amended due to change in location or schedule.
Visit the Flexible Work Agreement page (via Pitt Passport) for more information, including instructions for completing the form and FAQs.
It is not necessary to send a copy of the completed agreement to Human Resources, which has access to and is keeping track of all agreements for compliance and reporting purposes. Responsibility centers should maintain these agreements in their employees’ personnel files.
For any questions or concerns, submit an online inquiry.
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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