Remote and Condensed Work Policy for Academic and Administrative Staff University of Tunis El Manar (UTM)

Introduction

The University of Tunis El Manar (UTM) recognizes the importance of providing flexible work options to support its academic and administrative staff in balancing professional responsibilities with personal needs. This policy outlines the provisions for remote work and condensed work schedules to ensure that work is performed efficiently while promoting staff well-being and maintaining the university’s operational goals.

Objectives

• To offer academic and administrative staff the flexibility to manage their work schedules, contributing to better work-life balance.

• To maintain high levels of productivity and service delivery while offering flexible work arrangements.

• To ensure continued collaboration, accountability, and communication despite flexible working hours.

• To align the university’s work practices with modern approaches to flexibility and sustainability.

Policy Provisions

1. Eligibility

• Academic Staff: Academic staff may request remote work and/or a condensed work schedule, subject to departmental needs and course requirements. Up to 20% of the allocated time may be worked remotely, in addition to condensed hours, provided that the workload and teaching responsibilities are met.

• Administrative Staff: Administrative staff can also request a condensed work schedule, where they work longer hours on fewer days, and up to 20% of this time may be worked remotely if feasible for the role and department needs.

2. Remote Work Provisions

• Staff may request to work remotely for up to 20% of their allocated work time.

• Remote work will require the use of university-provided digital tools and platforms to maintain communication, collaboration, and access to university resources.

• Staff must ensure they remain accessible during work hours for meetings, communication with colleagues, and essential duties.

3. Condensed Work Schedule

• Staff can request to condense their weekly hours into fewer days, working longer hours on selected days.

• Requests for condensed schedules should be submitted to the staff member’s supervisor and include proposed work hours.

• Condensed schedules must not interfere with departmental needs, academic schedules, or essential duties.

4. Approval Process

• Staff members wishing to adopt a remote or condensed work schedule must submit a formal request to their department head or supervisor, outlining the proposed schedule and rationale.

• Supervisors will assess the request based on department operations, workload, and service requirements. Approval will be granted if the arrangement ensures that university operations are not disrupted.

5. Communication and Collaboration

• Staff working remotely or on a condensed schedule must remain accessible and engage in regular communication with their teams, supervisors, and students (if applicable).

• Staff are expected to participate in team meetings, project discussions, and collaborative activities, ensuring that their absence does not affect team dynamics or productivity.

6. Performance and Accountability

• Staff on remote or condensed work schedules are expected to meet established performance standards and deadlines.

• Supervisors will monitor staff performance and ensure that key tasks and responsibilities are being met. Regular check-ins will be scheduled to provide feedback and adjust arrangements as needed.

7. Technology and Support

• The university will provide the necessary tools and resources to enable remote work, including access to secure online platforms, collaborative tools, and IT support.

• Training will be offered to ensure that staff are equipped to work effectively in a remote or condensed work arrangement.

8. Staff Well-being

• The university encourages staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance while working remotely or on a condensed schedule. Staff should avoid overloading themselves and ensure they are managing their time effectively.

• Staff should take regular breaks, avoid excessive working hours, and seek support from supervisors if needed.

Monitoring and Review

• Feedback Mechanism: Staff feedback will be gathered periodically to evaluate the effectiveness of remote and condensed work arrangements. Adjustments will be made to improve flexibility and ensure that the policy meets both staff and departmental needs.

• Performance Review: Supervisors will conduct regular reviews of staff performance to ensure that remote and condensed work arrangements do not hinder job performance or university operations.

Conclusion

The Remote and Condensed Work Policy at UTM allows academic and administrative staff to benefit from flexible working hours, remote work options, and condensed schedules. This policy aims to improve work-life balance while maintaining high productivity, service delivery, and collaboration. By offering these flexible work arrangements, the university fosters an environment that values both staff well-being and operational efficiency.