Value Statement
Austin Community College District (“ACC” or “the College”) is a student-first institution committed to creating and sustaining a strong work environment and culture that actively supports student success, employee collaboration, effective College operations, and meaningful engagement with business partners and community stakeholders. This includes students’ ability to routinely access in-person, on-campus assistance and support, as well as the College’s need to maintain collegiality, collaboration, responsiveness, and service across teams and with those we serve.
Within this context, and in compliance with the provisions of Texas Education Code Section 51.992: Restrictions on Telework for Higher Education Employees (TEC 51.992), ACC will utilize teleworking arrangements only when they are in the best interests of the College.
Purpose Statement
TEC 51.992 provides that an institution of higher education may not allow telework for an employee except as authorized by that section of state law. This policy establishes guidelines for determining when telework may be appropriate and permissible for eligible non-teaching positions.
Telework is not available for all positions. Some positions require regular or day-to-day physical presence at an ACC location, direct in-person support for students, or in-person interaction with employees, administrators, business partners, or community stakeholders. In those cases, telework may not be an option. Where telework is legally permissible and operationally appropriate, managers may consider telework arrangements in accordance with this policy, the needs of the College, and the requirements of TEC 51.992.
Telework provides an alternate work location. However, all ACC employment conditions and policies continue to apply. Managers are responsible for the employee’s work schedule and location and are expected to collaborate with employees to ensure job requirements are met.
Administrative Rule
The College will make a telework arrangement when it is in the best interest of ACC, meets the needs of ACC’s business operations, supports staff productivity, supports student success, and aligns with the requirements of TEC 51.992.
All departments must maintain continuous in-person support throughout standard operating hours; telecommuting arrangements must never compromise physical office availability or result in office closures. Managers are responsible for strategically coordinating schedules to fulfill this coverage requirement. The approval of any individual telework arrangement remains strictly contingent upon these operational needs, which may limit remote work flexibility, days, or hours for certain roles and areas.
Telework schedules will be established based on operational needs and the best interests of the College. Telework arrangements will generally include no more than two remote workdays per week. The area’s highest-level administrator may approve additional telework days as appropriate and in compliance with applicable state law.
Definitions
- TEC 51.992 defines “Telework” as a work arrangement that allows an employee of an institution of higher education to conduct on a regular basis all or some institutional business at a place other than the employee’s regular or assigned temporary place of employment during all or a portion of the employee’s established work hours.
Responsibilities
- Managers are responsible for the work schedule, work location, and equipment needs of their employees. Therefore, the manager is expected to oversee the work of employees to ensure productivity and achievement of the College’s mission and goals.
- The immediate manager is responsible for making recommendations to the appropriate administrator regarding the approval for an employee to telework. The manager will ensure the Telework Agreement is executed and the original document is filed in the employee’s master file, a copy retained in the department file, and a copy given to the employee. The manager shall notify the employee of the approval/non-approval and the basis for the decision.
- The manager is also responsible for reporting and managing any injuries incurred as a result of telework, in accordance with ACC’s policies and procedures.
- The area’s highest-level administrator is responsible for approving requests for telework arrangements and for the agreement for an employee to telework in accordance with this administrative rule and guideline/procedure.
- The employee is responsible for complying with the telework arrangements and thoroughly reading and understanding the administrative rule and guideline/procedure for telework prior to signing the agreement.
- The Office of Human Resources shall designate approved telework arrangements based on position job descriptions, as appropriate.