As shared on September 25, Clemson University is making updates to its remote work program and policy to align with new state requirements.
All staff must follow the new state requirements related to the use of remote work.
Additionally, Clemson University must track and report the use of remote work to the Division of State Human Resources (DSHR).
Employees should use the Remote Work Log to track remote work use and changes in their schedule, as specified in the guidance below. This process will evolve, and the Office of Human Resources (OHR) will distribute a digital form version of this log soon to simplify tracking and reporting. This reporting system is solely to be used for tracking and monitoring the use of remote work. It is not an approval process. Employees should discuss any changes to their schedule or work location with their supervisor before the change occurs.
Faculty are exempt from the state schedule restrictions, but Clemson must track faculty use of remote work. OHR will share more information with impacted faculty members when available.
For Employees Enrolled in the Remote Work Program
OHR emailed employees already enrolled in the University Remote Work program instructions to complete a new Remote Worker Agreement form. Employees must complete updated agreement forms to continue working a remote schedule compliant with the state requirements.
Current program participants must report any changes to their previously approved remote work schedule. This includes:
- Hours worked in the office, when an employee was scheduled to work remote.
- Hours worked remotely, when an employee was scheduled to be in the office.
For example:
- An employee’s normal remote workdays are Monday and Thursday, but they come into the office on Monday to attend an in-person meeting.
- An employee typically only works remotely on Tuesdays, but they also work remotely on Thursday, due to car trouble at home.
Participants should use the Remote Work log to document any changes to their approved schedule until instructed to submit this information.
For Employees Not Yet Enrolled in the Program
State guidance requires all employees to be enrolled in the remote work program to work a regular remote work schedule. The following steps must happen before scheduled remote work may begin:
- Supervisors or department liaisons must submit a Remote Work Plan and Request Form to alert the Office of Human Resources of their request to work remotely and begin the appropriate approval process.
- The Office of Human Resources will begin reviewing and accepting new requests for remote work agreements by November 1.
- Once approved by OHR, identified employees and their supervisors will be required to complete Remote Work training.
- After training is complete, employees will be prompted to complete a Remote Worker Agreement Form. This form will automatically route to the supervisor and OHR for review and approval.
Additional details regarding options for flexible work arrangements while awaiting a remote work program approval are available on the Remote Work webpage.
For Employees Who Use Remote Work Occasionally
DSHR states that employees may utilize remote work on a periodic or temporary basis, when warranted. This may be for short-term illnesses or similar unplanned or emergent events.
DSHR states these arrangements should be limited to the duration of the event and approved by the supervisor in advance.
This level of remote work does not require a formal remote work agreement, but employees must track and report it using Clemson’s remote work tracking system.
Until further instructions are provided, employees using temporary remote work should use the Remote Work log to track instances of remote work.
Remote Work Webpage
The Office of Human Resources’ Remote Work webpage now reflects the new state guidelines and contains in-depth details on remote work at Clemson. Please reference this webpage with any questions you may have regarding the new requirements. OHR will update the webpage and provide additional information when available.
Employees may direct additional questions to remotework@clemson.edu.
