Kent State integrates the use of workplace flexibility to support the wellbeing of our employees and achieve our workplace goals. Although not every position can take advantage of these arrangements, there are often a variety of ways that flexibility can be customized to meet the needs of departments and individuals.
This policy will be implemented by Human Resources, including Employee Wellness and other functions within the division. Kim Hauge, employee wellness director, will serve as the primary contact. Over the next several weeks, you will receive information, including the policy statement, guidelines for use, how to initiate a FWA request, and a schedule of training sessions available for employees (requesters) and management (approvers). To make that information easily accessible for all, a Flexible Work Arrangement information page has been created.
The FWA policy, 3342-6-01.2, is available on our website for review. Prior to making any FWA request, the employee/requester must attend a FWA Training Session, or view a session in its entirety via Blackboard. The Blackboard edition will not be available until the week of June 24. Approvers also must attend, or view, the training session. Although some of the training dates/locations have been posted, we are continuing to secure additional dates and locations and will populate the website as more dates become available.
Departments are encouraged to have open dialogues regarding flexible work and integrate it as a standard business practice where applicable. Upon completion of training, employees may use the FWA Request Form to initiate such dialogue.
Kent State University is committed to fostering a flexible workplace environment that recognizes employees’ ongoing navigation of career and life responsibilities. At the same time, the determination as to whether a specific FWA request can be accommodated will be made on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the needs, requirements and constraints of the department.
For questions related to the Flexible Work Arrangement policy or training, please contact Employee Wellness at 330-672-7505 or 330-672-0392. You may also email wellness@kent.edu.