Temporary Updates to Telecommute Policy

The University has an established telecommuting policy applicable to Academic division staff and Medical Center team members under which eligible employees may telecommute, to the maximum extent possible, without diminished employee performance or service delivery.

The policy provides for telecommuting during emergencies that may disrupt facilities or the physical operations of departments.  Under such circumstances, the policy permits managers to establish telecommuting arrangements with qualified employees for limited duration, in order to respond effectively to such disruptions and maintain critical functions, operations and services. These types of arrangements may be maintained only until normal operations can be restored.

Under this policy, managers/ supervisors are given latitude to establish telecommuting arrangements in emergency situations. The duration of such arrangements is limited and should be terminated upon the conclusion of the emergency. If managers/supervisors and employees want to continue the telecommuting arrangement after the event, they should follow the terms specified in the policy, which requires a formal agreement and plan. 

Employees who are approved for an emergency telecommuting arrangement should be prepared to return to the physical work environment upon notice.

Guidelines

Managers/supervisors are, at a minimum, responsible for:

  1. Ensuring the position(s) job requirements can be performed through telecommuting
  2. Ensuring team members have access to hardware and/or software technologies that can enable them to work remotely (laptop or desktop computer, mobile or landline telephone, adequate internet and mobile telephone coverage, etc.)
  3. Establishing hours of work availability for their telecommuting team members, including expectations about attending meetings via videoconference or telephone, answering emails and taking calls, etc.
  4. Ensuring that the employee’s remote work does not violate data security policies or procedures
  5. Communicating that the telecommuting option is temporary and may come to an end once the emergency has been declared to be over, and
  6. Documenting the arrangements via email as a simple note, but with a clear understanding of expectations

Team members who telecommute should have access to:

  1. voice communication
  2. email communication
  3. high-speed internet or adequate internet speed access
  4. relevant hardware and software to perform their job duties

The ITS website has helpful resources that staff should consult now if they do not regularly connect remotely:  

Please direct employees to the UVA Zoom Home for information about getting a Zoom account and how to use this technology.

Faculty should consult with their department leadership and/or dean.

Frequently Asked Questions: