Is Flexible Work Working for You? BU Wants to Know
The University is surveying employees about their satisfaction with flexible-work policies, including work from home. Photo by iStock/Pekic
Is Flexible Work Working for You? BU Wants to Know
Employees are asked to complete short survey by July 5
The University’s Task Force on Workplace Culture wants to hear from faculty and staff about whether BU’s flexible work policy is, well, working.
An online survey, whose link was emailed to employees June 28, “is a bit broader than just for remote work,” says task force cochair Amanda Bailey, vice president for human resources. “It’s a survey to assess flexible work options, including an assessment of remote work, since the guidelines for this benefit were initially published in August 2021.”
The survey was compiled by the task force subcommittee on flexible work. Employees may also complete a paper version by printing the survey from the task force website and dropping it off at one of three locations listed at the end of this story. Surveys must be returned to TFWC@bu.edu by Friday, July 8.
Since last summer, thousands of employees have worked remotely, up to two days a week, under the University’s pandemic-inspired work-from-home policy. Among the multiple-choice survey questions: “Are there additional services or aids that may assist you in performing your duties?” “Are you aware of the process for requesting a reasonable accommodation?” “Besides the remote work option, do you currently have any other flexible work arrangements?” and “If you did apply for a remote work arrangement and were not approved for it, what motivates you to remain at BU?”
We asked Bailey what employees need to know about the survey.
Q&A
With Amanda Bailey
BU Today: What is the goal of the survey—what are you seeking to learn?
Bailey: It’s to learn more about the experiences and perceptions about additional flexible work options, particularly for staff who aren’t eligible to participate in remote work. It’s also to learn more about improving existing remote work arrangements.
BU Today: How long should it take to complete?
Bailey: The estimated time is 10 to 15 minutes.
BU Today: I understand the results will be used to potentially revise the current remote work rules?
Bailey: Yes, the subcommittee will collect responses, and the Task Force on Workplace Culture members will review the responses and submit recommendations for further consideration to revise the existing remote work guidelines.
BU Today: What other steps are you taking to make the survey accessible?
Bailey: There are three locations that will be offered for employees who cannot complete the survey online:
• Office of Human Resources, 25 Buick Street, second floor, from 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday;
• 179 Amory Street, from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday;
• On the Medical Campus at 72 East Concord Street (L Building), Room L1110, between 7:30 am and 9 pm Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday.
We expect to have the survey translated into Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian-Creole, at the same link on the task force’s online page.
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