Handbook of Operating Procedures

I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ("University") recognizes there may be times when the standard work week is not optimal for the University and/or its employees, and there may be benefits to allowing employees to use flexible work arrangements such as flextime or telecommuting. The University particularly supports using flexible work options to help employees manage the competing demands of work and personal life.

II. DEFINITIONS

Standard Work Week: The standard work week of the University is a fixed and regularly recurring period of 168 hours, seven consecutive 24-hour periods, commencing at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and ending at midnight Friday. Any deviations from this standard work week must be approved by Human Resources.  An example of a deviation from this standard work week would be a work week of 168 hours, seven consecutive 24-hour periods, commencing at 12:01 a.m. Sunday and ending at midnight on Saturday.  The work day is normally a period of eight hours worked within a 24-hour period. The normal work day is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. (Refer to HOOP Policy 51 Shift Differential Pay.)

III. PROCEDURE

At the discretion of the department head/supervisor and within the constraints of federal and state law, flexible work arrangements may be used by employees when appropriate. Some flexible work arrangements available include flextime (e.g., compressed work weeks or flexible working hours) and telecommuting (i.e., work from home or off site). In addition, supervisors are not obligated to authorize daily breaks for employees, but may do so at their discretion. See the Flextime Guidelines website for information pertaining to flextime and related forms. See the Telecommuting website for information pertaining to telecommuting and related forms.

The University must be open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday including the noon hour, and must maintain the eight-hour day and the 40-hour week. Within these criteria, supervisors and employees should work together in evaluating the appropriateness of a flexible work arrangement for their area. However, it is the responsibility of the supervisor to periodically review the arrangements to ensure they continue to meet the University's needs and comply with all state and federal regulations. For employees working a non-traditional schedule, this information should be recorded and maintained in departmental files.

If a flexible work schedule is related to a disability, the request must be processed under HOOP 101, Disability Accommodation. (contact 713-500-CALL).

IV. CONTACTS

• • Human Resources
  • 713-500-3130
  • https://www.uth.edu/hr/department/employee-relations/

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