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Office of Human Resources
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Remote Work

Arrangements and resources for working remotely.

The University recognizes that remote work offers our community new opportunities for flexibility and improved work-life balance while also meeting our business needs. This less traditional work environment can provide a collaborative, productive, innovative, and inclusive option for staff to carry-out our institutional mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create—and Make the World Ever Better.

In addition to our official Remote Work Policy, we’ve gathered resources for our managers and employees to help navigate opportunities for remote work.

Guiding principles for remote work

In evaluating remote work opportunities, it was important to keep several important principles and values in mind.

These led the way for the creation of our Remote Work Policy, and should guide your decision-making as you assess opportunities for remote work.

Commitment to Excellence

The work of our valued employees is vital to the pursuit of the University of Rochester’s research, education, and healthcare missions. Our commitment to excellence and to the University’s Meliora and iCARE values will guide decisions regarding remote work options.

Inclusivity and Connectivity

Creating a culture of inclusivity and connectivity is critical to building a collaborative, innovative work environment. We will closely monitor the impact of a hybrid work environment on our community culture and partner with faculty and staff to create opportunities for collaboration and increased engagement across the institution.

Open Communication

We will communicate with our employees clearly, frequently, and honestly.

Forward-thinking

We will maintain a forward-thinking lens that is flexible and adaptable, understanding that policies and practices may change to respond to the business needs of the University. On both an individual and organizational level, we will monitor our progress and be prepared to make changes using data, best practices, and good judgment.

Completing the Remote Work Agreement

Beginning March 2022, all staff who work remotely (full-time or hybrid) must read and accept their remote work agreement in HRMS using the directions below. This includes new staff approved for hybrid or remote work and staff members who change their work status to hybrid or fully remote.

  • Login to HRMS. Remote Access VPN is required if accessing HRMS from outside the University network.
  • Click on Main Menu (upper left-hand corner) > Self Service > Remote Work Status
  • Click on the remote work agreement hyperlink in the first box and review the agreement
    • (Note: the agreement will open in a separate window, so you may need to allow a pop-up blocker)
  • Click “I accept” button
  • Choose the appropriate status for fully remote or hybrid, and add remote work address if different from home address.
    • The default setting is “full on-site,” since previous remote work agreements were not tracked in HRMS. It remains an option should a staff member need to update their status back to “full on-site” in the future.
  • Click “submit”

The electronic remote work agreement cannot be altered. If additional details regarding the individual’s remote work agreement are required, the documentation should be kept by the department manager.

Should a staff member return to fully on-site work, they also must update this new status in HRMS.

Explore remote work resources

Have questions?

Reach out to Human Resources

We’re here to support you, regardless of if you’re working on- or off-site. Visit our Human Resources Business Partner page for ways to reach out.

Contact HR