Message from the Office of the President: Details About the University’s “Work with Flexibility” Guidelines

Dear Twin Cities Employees,

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, learn and work. The past year challenged our resilience as we realized the mission of this great University, while simultaneously protecting the health and safety of all who study and work here. 

For its humbling, world-stopping power, this pandemic did not degrade our success or destroy our spirit, thanks to your dedication, flexibility, and determination to pursue excellence through the most uncertain and difficult times. We want to take a moment to acknowledge our employees who sustained our campus during this period, including those in facilities management, dining services, clinical and health care roles, researchers, as well as public safety, for their dedication and commitment to our mission. 

Another lesson of Covid-19 is that work is not about where we go. Work is first about what we do, followed by how, when and where we do it.

Work. With Flexibility.

As we look ahead, we are pleased to announce new guidelines for the way we work going forward. Human Resources has created an approach called Work. With Flexibility. which provides systemwide guidance for legal and policy compliance, while allowing for local flexibility in its application. We developed this guidance over several months in collaboration with the HR community and senior leaders, and in consultation with governance groups, the General Counsel’s office, and others. 

Our preliminary guidelines describe various options for flexible work, including full-time in-person, full-time remote, and a mix between the two. It addresses topics pertaining to working out of state, remote work for hourly workers, office technology, accommodations, and much more.

Importantly, we will measure, assess, and refine the guidance over the next year by continuing to gather feedback from employees and the HR community to maximize its effectiveness. 

Planning for Returning to Campus

In the meantime, local leaders will define how best to use this guidance to develop plans that meet the needs of their specific college, unit, or department, working in close coordination with their human resources staff, supervisors, faculty, as well as staff. Local plans should be communicated to employees by July 19, 2021, and ideally would be shared before that date to provide time for employees to make caregiving arrangements. 

Supervisors are uniquely positioned to implement these guidelines based on their roles in the function, and the unique performance, development and engagement of their teams. They will evaluate all Work. With Flexibility. requests and make decisions that are in the best interest of the work they oversee, staying within bounds of the University and local-level application guidance. No one should be asked to make a change to their existing work plan without adequate notice. 

Employees should understand that although department leaders and supervisors are responsible for making final decisions about individual flexible work arrangements, they will do so by thoughtfully considering each employee’s perspective and unique circumstances. Indeed, with support from HR, supervisors will have the tools and resources they need to foster transparency, set clear expectations and ensure equity in the development of flexible work plans. 

Resources to Support a Flexible Workplace

To learn more, please visit z.umn.edu/WorkWithFlexibility which houses numerous information resources, including the guidelines themselves, case studies of how they are already being applied in certain areas, an FAQ, supervisory training materials, and more. 

Leadership and Talent Development in the Office of Human Resources has developed resources to help supervisors build the skills needed to make these decisions and manage flexible teams available on the Work. With Flexibility. website and at supervising.umn.edu. 

We recognize the incredible strength and patience you summoned during the past year as we navigated unchartered waters. Amazingly, we are entering new territory once again—a post-pandemic reality—that undoubtedly will require continued patience and agility, at least for the near-term. For that, we are grateful. We also are hopeful that this new phase brings great excitement for the future of work at the University.  

Sincerely, 
President Joan Gabel

Ken Horstman
Vice President for Human Resources