Bill Hoyt and Mindy Cloninger, Pittsburg State University
Flexible work schedules and telecommuting are widely used in technology companies and IT shops, and younger workers often enter the workforce with the expectation that such flexibility will be available to them. The lack of such options can place colleges at a disadvantage when competing for workers, especially given budgetary and other employment constraints. In 2018, Pittsburg State implemented a University policy that would allow employees to use flexible hours, alternative work schedules, and telecommuting. Our goal was to use flexible scheduling options to improve employee morale while making PSU a more attractive employer for difficult-to-fill positions. We pledged to do this while maintaining or improving support for our students. Through a review of similar policies, employee surveys, and a series of town hall meetings, we discovered that timing, communication, and managing expectations are critical to such a policy’s success.
