Summer Flexible Work

As a residential institution, Skidmore College relies on employees’ presence on campus to meet students’ and operational needs.  In addition, the College recognizes a collaborative work environment is often best achieved when employees are in physical proximity, where there is a greater opportunity for increased communication, better teamwork, higher morale and improved productivity.  At the same time, the College recognizes that flexibility in the workplace helps employees balance personal and professional responsibilities, and flexible work arrangements may be made when appropriate and consistent with the needs of an employee and the College. 

Eligibility for Summer Flexible Work Arrangements 

This policy applies to all non-union staff members whose job duties can be performed within a flexible work arrangement during the summer months without compromising the College’s educational mission and values.

The availability of flexible work arrangements is based on the specific needs of each division, unit, department, or program at that particular time and the ability of the position to work effectively in a flexible work arrangement.  To be successful, flexible work arrangements must not cause any reduction in service, quality of work or productivity.  Employee-requested flexible arrangements are a privilege, not an expectation of employment.      

Flexible Work Arrangement Options 

The following options are available flexible work arrangements over the summer months:  

• Compressed workweek. An employee may work a four-day per week schedule by extending the seven-hour workday to 8 hours and 45 minutes per day plus a one (1) hour unpaid lunch period.  Example: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. 
• Flextime. An employee may work a five-day per week schedule with variable hours per day as long as the total for the week is 35 hours with a minimum of a 30-minute unpaid lunch period daily for any work day that has a minimum of 6 hours.  Example: Monday-Thursday, 8:30a.m.-5:00 p.m. (30- minute lunch) and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; (5-day schedule) or Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; 8:00 a.m.-5:15 p.m. (4-day schedule).
• Remote work.  An employee whose job duties may be performed remotely without compromising the College’s educational mission and values and who have demonstrated the ability to perform productively remotely may work from home up to two days per week. 

Please note an employee may not combine a compressed workweek with remote work such that a full-time employee’s on-campus presence is less than three days per week. 

Procedure for Requesting a Summer Flexible Work Arrangement 

Eligible employees seeking a flexible work arrangement may submit a written request to their supervisor.   

Procedure for Evaluating Flexible Work Arrangements 

All requests for a summer flexible work arrangement require advance approval by the employee’s supervisor and/or department head in consultation with the division Vice President.  Supervisors may approve flexible work arrangements if it meets the following criteria: 

1. It does not negatively impact the program or department’s ability to meet their commitments to students and colleagues, including the requirement the program/department continues to maintain full office hours in which adequate in-person, office, phone and email service is available during regular office hours. 
2. The employee’s job duties can be effectively performed under the flexible work arrangement without compromising the College’s educational mission and values. 
3. The employee continues to meet all expectations for job performance. 
4. For full-time employees, the employee works, at minimum, three days per week on campus. 
5. For remote work arrangements, the employee has an appropriate workspace and suitable internet at home. 

Although there may be instances where the operational needs of an office or department preclude the use of flex time, the accommodation of flexible summer work schedule requests is encouraged as much as possible.  Consistent with applicable law, employees may not use more than one-half of their one-hour lunch period to reduce their overall work schedules. 

Expectations for Flexible Work Arrangements 

Employees approved for a flexible work arrangement must always maintain satisfactory job performance, including, among other requirements, continuing to work normal work hours, responding to all work-related calls, emails and other messages on a timely basis, completing all work assigned on a timely basis and complying with all College policies. Employees are expected to alter their flexible work arrangement (including working on campus) if required by their supervisor.  The College reserves the right to approve or deny any flexible work arrangement and to modify or revoke such arrangements once approved. 

Summer Flexible Work will begin this year on May 31 and continue through August 26, 2022.  The College will continue to solicit feedback on the implementation of this policy and will use this information in its ongoing evaluation of a flexible work arrangements benefit for Skidmore College.  

If you have any questions regarding any aspect of the summer flexible work benefit, please contact Human Resources.