University provides update on fall work modalities for faculty and staff

JULY 15, 2021 — Editor’s note: The following message was sent today via email from Senior Vice President for Business Affairs Veronica Salazar Mendez to all faculty and staff:

Yesterday, you heard from senior leadership about campus operations this fall. As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, many of us will see adjusted work modalities to support a robust in-person experience for our Roadrunner community. 

Over the past year, we saw an incredible amount of innovative ideas and efficiencies that support working and learning remotely. Although many in-person activities are poised to resume, we have an opportunity to incorporate these new best practices as we move forward, ensuring we support our in-person and virtual workforce and provide high-quality services to our students and each other.

Fall Work Modalities

Many of you will resume working on campus this fall, while others will continue working remotely on a hybrid or full-time basis. Area managers and vice presidents carefully considered work modalities based on the requirements of individual positions. Your assigned modality is essential to supporting the university, our students and your teams.

Soon, your manager will notify you of your fall work modality so that you have adequate time to prepare for any changes. If your modality includes in-person work, your manager will provide your return-to-campus date, which may vary from office to office. For those working remotely, your manager will work with you to complete a Work Modality Conditions and Agreement form, which will replace the current telecommuting agreements set to expire on July 31. New agreements go into effect August 1.

Next week, managers can expect to receive more instruction from People Excellence regarding work modality notifications and the agreement form process. Later this month, managers will also receive updated information on out-of-state employees, including a new exception review process.

Moving forward, newly hired faculty and staff will be advised of their work modality in their official offer letter. As part of the recruitment process, People Excellence will work directly with hiring managers to ensure work modalities are clearly stated in all stages of hiring.

Support & Accommodations

As we adapt to a work environment that includes a wide range of work modalities, we must make every effort to support and accommodate each other. For example, while many in-person office hours and meetings will resume this fall, virtual attendance options should be made available whenever practical to ensure our full community is engaged, regardless of work modality.

Likewise, we acknowledge that some individuals may need workplace accommodations due to qualifying impacts from the ongoing pandemic. Requesting an accommodation will follow the university’s standard process.

Starting today, People Excellence is offering a Return to Campus webinar series in partnership with our Employee Assistance Program, Deer Oaks. The series covers numerous topics, including coping with change, supporting your employees and staying resilient. These trainings are open to all interested employees, and I encourage you to attend.

As we prepare for fall, we are keeping a close eye on COVID-19 variants. If necessary, we will make adjustments to our work modalities and pandemic management plan to ensure the health and safety of our campus community. Your ongoing resiliency and support will help us remain flexible should we need to adjust our recovery level.

In the meantime, we look forward to seeing many of you back on campus!

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