Types of Remote Working Arrangements

Remote work arrangements come in all shapes and sizes – from working five days per week off-site to working one day per week off-site. They can also include flexibility in when you work vs. where you work.

Here’s a breakdown that may be helpful:

  • Remote-First: Staff member’s regular schedule is fully remote five days per week, but may need to report occasionally on-site for team meetings, retreats, etc.

  • Hybrid: Staff member’s regular schedule is between 1-4 days per week off-site (not located on Duke-owned or leased property).

The type of remote work arrangement may determine other aspects of a job (dedicated vs. shared office/workspace, provided equipment, parking permit needs, etc.).

If you're ready to formalize a remote working arrangement, start by reviewing the necessary templates, forms, and checklists. You can also find access to helpful videos for staff and managers to make remote working arrangements work better for you and the department.

Staff Member's Role

  • Consider need
  • Describe the benefits for supervisor/customers/co-workers would experience based on the option
  • Anticipate challenges, provide suggestions to address
  • Be open to feedback and changes to the proposal
  • Be accountable for written agreements
  • Communicate with supervisor to ensure you are meeting expectations
  • Regularly evaluate arrangement with supervisor and implement agreed upon changes

Supervisor's Role

  • Focus on the organizational benefits
  • Support concept verbally and through personal modeling of balanced work practices
  • Work collaboratively with staff to address problems and/or obstacles
  • Clearly communicate defined tasks and expectations
  • Measure performance through results and behaviors
  • Provide regular feedback on performance
  • Be willing to reverse a plan if it is not serving the department's or individual's needs
  • Set expectations for procedures and guidelines for flexible work arrangements with all staff

Staff and their supervisors are encouraged to discuss their needs and to work together to develop the best possible arrangements for their situation.

Following discussion between the supervisor and staff member, the supervisor drafts a Telecommuting Agreement (available on Forms & Resources) outlining appropriate expectations and understandings.  The agreement, which should ultimately be a collaborative plan, formalizes the mostly remote, telecommuting arrangement.

Test Drive a Remote Work Arrangement

The best way to begin a remote working arrangement may be to start with a “pilot” approach to figure out what works best for the staff member and the department. You can use the Telecommuting Agreement available on Forms & Resources to define and describe the specifics of the arrangement and then review, discuss and modify as needed during the pilot period. The most important thing is communication to ensure expectations are clear for everyone.

Forms & Resources