Flexible Work Arrangements

Employees should apply for a flexible work (flexwork) arrangement when requesting to work remotely and/or to work something other than their regularly scheduled hours for longer than two weeks.

• Although exempt staff have some flexibility already, they should still have a flexwork arrangement for significant schedule changes lasting longer than two weeks.
• Faculty appointments also have a degree of flexibility, given the nature of research/service activities and the variability of faculty work schedules. Faculty should still request flexwork for significant schedule or location changes lasting longer than two weeks. Faculty should consult their unit administrator and dean for guidance about flexwork relative to their appointment and position duties.
• Graduate Assistants can apply for flexwork. Note that an approved agreement applies only to their work responsibilities; it does not impact their student schedule or expectations.

Duration

An employee can request flexwork for up to six months at a time. If approved, the arrangement will be reviewed when it expires and the employee will have the opportunity to request a renewal.

A flexwork arrangement is NOT required:

• If the request is for less than two weeks. Direct supervisors can approve flexible hours/remote work for up to two weeks at their discretion.
• If a position is permanently remote or located outside of a U of I location (for example, an out-of-state recruiter position).
• Please review the flexwork FAQs for more information about out-of-state or international requests.

Please note: If you are considering a flexwork arrangement for medical reasons (either your own or those of a family member), you may benefit from applying for Family and Medical Leave instead of or in addition to flexwork.