Staff Work Arrangements

The University of Texas at Austin is committed to fostering a work environment that reinforces consistent standards for a world-class teaching and research university built on collaboration and innovation. We thrive as a university community by connecting our students, faculty, and staff to the vibrance, energy, and power of togetherness on campus and in person. To build and maintain these strong connections to our community and purpose, it is important that our staff generally work where students come to work, learn, and live.

The University also recognizes that, under certain circumstances, Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) are a business strategy that can help recruit and retain talented employees and may lead to enhanced individual performance and increased productivity.

Not all positions will be eligible for flexible work due to their highly interactive, student, faculty, or staff serving responsibilities.

What is a Flexible Work Arrangement? (FWA)

FWAs are an approved ongoing variation regarding where a job is performed (location) or the time the work is performed (schedule). UT Austin permits FWAs as long as they are in the best interest of the University, the team, and the individual. FWAs must be reviewed and approved by Deans, Vice Presidents (VPs), or other appointed leaders (“FWA Authorities”).

FWAs apply to employees who are staff in both classified and administrative professional positions. 

Full-time in-person work arrangements do not require a completed agreement between supervisor and employee.

Types of Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexible Work Schedule

• A flexible work schedule is an ongoing adjustment to an employee’s regular schedule and may vary the days or times that an employee fulfills their schedule requirements. These changes should match the operational needs of the position and unit and ensure proper oversight of work assignments. An FWA must be completed and should include planning for holidays, events, meetings, and other workplace commitments. Employees with approved flexible schedules may be required to work a more standard schedule when needed.

Flexible Work Location

• A flexible work location allows an employee to work specific days (per week, month, or during seasonal periods) at a location that is not their regularly assigned place of employment. Positions that require regular in-person interaction with students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders, that have on-campus service responsibilities, or are dependent on continual physical presence, will generally not be considered for a flexible work location. Types of flexible work location arrangements include:
  • Remote Hybrid – Employee is authorized to perform their regular job duties from both an on-campus and approved off-campus location.
  • Remote Full – Employee is authorized to perform their regular job duties from an approved remote work location.
• Employees working from a flexible work location may be required (at employee’s expense) to come to their assigned work location or other University location for events, meetings, and other commitments, and should be available promptly during regular work hours, when needed. Employees may also be required to reside in the area where the work is to be performed.

A Flexible Work Agreement must be completed for any FWA. FWAs are not considered permanent and may end at any time for any reason, including performance concerns, organizational needs, or team structural changes.

• The UT Flexible Work Arrangement Form must be signed electronically by the employee and supervisor.  Individual CSUs may also require additional approvals, so employees should consult their local HR representative to determine if additional approvals are required. 
• Employees must review and sign the appropriate FWA expectations document (Telework, Non-Telework)
• Employee FWAs must be entered in Workday according to the defined business process.
   

Additional Information

• Staff Work Arrangement Review and Approval Process
• Staff Work Arrangement Conditions
• Out of State and International Work
• Frequently Asked Questions – FWA
• Managing Employees with an FWA
• FWA Resources for Employees
• Resources – FWA