Workplace Flexibility
ORA fosters foster an environment of support, creativity, productivity, and professional autonomy. To respond to today's need to be a more agile workplace, we encourage the use of the following flexible work options.
Key Principles
Our approach reflects a commitment to a workplace flexibility that:
- Welcomes and enables diverse work styles
- Recognizes the positive lessons we have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Considers business needs and individuals' needs
- Builds and promotes a workforce that contributes to Emory University's vibrant and thriving community
- Provides the maximum flexibility for our staff based on business needs
- Prioritizes the recruitment of employees who are, or who seek to become, a part of our local community
Flexible Work Arrangements
Full policy: SVPR/ORA Flexible Work Arrangement Policy
ORA offers a number of flexible work arrangement (FWA) types. Some employees might not be eligible for all types. The type of FWA will be determined by job duties and supervisor/ORA leadership assessment.
The type of FWA will be determined by job descriptions and supervisor/ORA leadership assessment. Each position reporting directly to central ORA offices has been sorted in to three (3) categories, based on the job description or essential functions. Designation of job titles into each category was determined by department leaders. For questions, please contact ORA Human Resources.
Flexible Hours
Flexibility from traditional start and finish times (8a.m. - 5p.m.). Employees may work 7a.m. – 4p.m., 9a.m. – 6p.m., etc. as well as meal breaks which accommodate the needs of employee while maintaining a consistent schedule or hours per day. Also referred to as flextime or flexible work hours,
Compressed Workweek
Flexibility from traditional 5-day work week. Employees may work four 10-hour days or as determined by department needs and supervisor approval.
Full Remote
Employees work from a work station outside of the office/campus. A role whose job duties do not require or have very minimal in-person engagement with faculty and/or other Emory research stakeholders or customers, including other ORA staff members. Fully remote employees are still eligible for other flexible work arrangements based on the FWA policy. NOTE: Though the employee can work virtually much of the time, it is critical for the employee to return to campus periodically for meetings or training at their own expense based on business needs.
Full Remote Outside of Georgia
In addition to the above, all requests to work outside the state of Georgia must be fully approved prior to working. Approval includes ORA HR/Central HR, VPRA/SVPR, and CBO. This is the case for current and future employees. Departments are prohibited from hiring candidates residing in New Jersey, Alaska, and Hawaii. For additional details, please see Policy 2.91 – Employment in states other than Georgia. To initiate the request process, contact ORA HR at ora.hr@emory.edu.
NOTE: It is critical for the employee to travel to campus periodically for meetings or training at their own expense based on business needs.
Hybrid
Hybrid work defines positions that allow employees to participate in a work arrangement that combines in-person and remote work. A Hybrid designation would require the employee to work on campus a minimum of one day each week. Previously known as telecommuting.
Non-Hybrid
Non-Hybrid defines positions that require employees to be on campus or on site in other Emory facilities 5 days/week to perform their essential job functions.
Work Arrangement Required Documentation
All staff are required to request their work arrangement using the Work Arrangement Request tool in PeopleSoft. To access the tool, log in to PeopleSoft, then click on the “Work Arrangement Requests” tile.
Work Arrangement options:- Working on-campus: scheduled to regularly work on campus Monday - Friday
- Both working on-campus and off-campus with scheduled days of the week on-campus: scheduled to work remotely and on campus - this could be the same day(s) each week, or the same number of days each week
- Both working on-campus and off-campus coming to campus as needed (ad-hoc days on-campus): Primary work location is not on campus, attending an occasional meeting/event (ex: 1-3 days/month, Research Week, monthly staff meeting)
- Working Remote Only (never come to campus and/or out-of-state worker)
Helpful hints: if your arrangement is best described as both on and off campus with scheduled days, not selecting this option will reflect that you are primarily remote 5 days/week. Schedules may change from time to time, please indicate "How often do you follow this Schedule?" in the box provided.
Once you complete the form, your supervisor will be sent a notification to review and approve/deny your request. If you are a manager, in addition to completing your own work arrangement, you will also need to review and approve/deny the work arrangements for each of your staff. For ORA, Amanda Watson will be the secondary approval in the workflow.
Workplace Expectations
Regardless of designation, employees are encouraged to attend meetings and events designated as 'in-person' when appropriate, during standard business hours. Examples of these are:
- New team member orientation
- Specific developmental activities and trainings
- Interviewing candidates for leadership positions
- Strategic and operational planning
- Monthly group leadership meetings
- Engagement with individuals outside of ORA, including meetings with faculty or other senior administrators
When in-person opportunities are encouraged, employees will have advance notice and it will be up to individuals discretion to attend in person or via Zoom.
Access to flexible work arrangements is a privilege and may be revoked as a performance improvement measure or for other business reasons.
Workspace Usage
ORA utilizes private offices, open workspaces, conference rooms, hoteling, and touchdown spaces to provide the capacity and flexibility needed to accommodate our workforce.
Private Office/Dedicated Workspace
This space will be first allocated to employees in the office 2 or more days per week, AVP (or higher) positions, and department heads.
Shared Spaces
Employees who are in the office less than 2 days per week will not be guaranteed assigned workspaces. Employees may need to take advantage of fully equipped hoteling spaces or available touchdown space.
Touchdown space is readily available throughout the 4th Floor of 1599 Clifton Road, and does not require a reservation. Touchdown spaces consist of a desk and chair only. Spaces are labeled "ORA Touchdown Space".
Hoteling space is available on the 4th and 5th floors of 1599 Clifton Road – spaces include window offices, interior offices, and open workspaces. All hoteling spaces are equipped with dual monitors, docking station, and a keyboard/mouse combo.
Please request a hoteling reservation at least one business day prior to need by emailing ora.operations@emory.edu.
Equipment
Full Remote
Emory provided equipment (e.g., monitor, keyboard, docking station) would remain at homes until the employee leaves the Unit/University at which time all equipment must be returned in original packaging.
Remote employees will be responsible for providing a comfortable home workspace that meets their needs beyond Emory provided equipment. Emory will generally not provide: desk, chair, filling cabinet, etc.
Hybrid
Employees should keep their Emory provided equipment (e.g., monitor, keyboard, docking station) in the location which they work 3 or more days per week.
All Employees
Emory issued laptops should remain with the employee regardless of their work location (home or office). If problems with equipment arise, employees may need to come into the office for IT support when it cannot be fixed remotely