Classified Staff Telework Policy Info & Resources

Telework Policy for Classified Staff

Governor Youngkin announced, per DHRM Policy 1.61, Teleworking, that all state employees must work in person unless an approved Telework Agreement is in place. For the University of Virginia this policy applies to Classified Staff only, including those at the College at Wise. This policy does not apply to University Staff at UVA and UVA Health because Virginia law authorizes colleges and universities to establish and follow their own personnel policies.

Classified Staff who wish to update their previous telework agreement must re-submit a Standard Telework Agreement request to their manager, who will forward it to UVA Human Resources. Managers with Classified Staff who wish to renew or terminate their agreement should respond to UVA Human Resources during the annual renewal period. 

Directions for submitting this request, description of the review process, and resources are below. 

Policy & Telework Agreement Info for Staff and Managers

  • Overview of Telework Policy

    Here is the DHRM Policy 1.61, Teleworking that provides details of the telework policy for Classified Staff, determinants of eligibility for telework, overview of the Standard Telework Agreement, and more.

    The Standard Telework Agreement is effective for one year and must be renewed annually. 

  • Standard Telework Agreement & Submission Instructions

    Managers should use these steps to renew or terminate the Telework Agreement in place for their employees:

    1. Once per year, UVA Human Resources will notify the manager through email from AskHR@virginia.edu that the time period for reviewing Telework Agreements for Classified Staff has begun. The communication will include a blank agreement and date by which to respond. 
    2. If the manager wishes to renew or terminate the agreement, they will inform UVA HR by responding to the original message from AskHR@virginia.edu. 

    Managers should use these steps to update the Telework Agreement in place for their employees:

    1. Once per year, UVA Human Resources will notify the manager through email that the time period for reviewing Telework Agreements for Classified Staff has begun. The communication will include a blank agreement and date by which to respond. 
    2. The employee completes the updated Telework Agreement and sends it to their manager.
    3. The manager should review and if approved, send to AskHR@virginia.edu.
    4. At the manager’s discretion, the employee can begin to follow the new Telework Agreement immediately under “temporary approval” from their manager. The final and long-term decision for the Telework Agreement is with UVA leadership and State approvers. 
    5. The HR Solution Center will track the request and review the Telework Agreement to confirm it is complete. 

Resources

Other Information

  • Employees Currently On Leave

    If you are currently on leave, when you return from leave you may complete the Standard Telework Agreement, submit it to your manager for approval, and follow the same process as above. 

  • Policy Info

    The DHRM Telework Policy is intended to: 

    • Recognize that teamwork, collaboration, and productivity skills need rejuvenation. 
    • Provide a telework framework for employees to assist the transition back to the office after this unprecedented period of remote working. 
    • Demonstrate that the strongest teams are best cultivated and learning is most enhanced in an in-person setting. 
    • Highlight and inform employees that teleworking is a benefit offered to employees, rather than an obligation of the Commonwealth. 
    • Determine positions where telework is appropriate for managing the affairs and operations of their agency - Teleworking is not always a suitable alternative for many positions. 
    • Require the review and replacement of all active individual telework agreements with the standard agreement.  
    • Assess individual and team objectives and overall performance expectations of the team when awarding new telework agreements. 
    • Ensure that individual telework agreements reflect specific days of on-site work that are consistent with effective delivery of services and team collaboration. 
    • Ensure that legal requirements are met for employees who have unique workplace considerations.