Agile working Appendix 2

We expect this toolkit to be primarily for Strathclyde colleagues in Professional Service areas or in support posts in faculties. Colleagues who already work at times and locations which suit them, other than teaching and student support duties, may continue to work flexibly so long as Departmental attendance parameters are met.

Agile working is fluid and informal. It requires flexibility, for example when organisational or customer needs change or when other team member’s needs change. So, for example, if you want to be able to drop off and/or pick up your children from school a few times a week then agile working could allow for that. However, if you need certainty that you can have a particular day off for child care purposes or need to reduce from a full-time output, then this may be more appropriately dealt with under Strathclyde’s Flexible Working Policy rather than through the more fluid, adaptable arrangements available through agile working.

As far as possible, if required, we will supply you with IT equipment which is portable and can be used in more than one location e.g. laptops and docking stations rather than desktop devices. However, if you need additional equipment on either site so that you have a comfortable and safe workstation e.g. an additional monitor, and where it would be difficult or inconvenient to transfer this between sites, your department will provide this or cover the expense for you to purchase this, within reasonable limits and where this is agreed in advance.

At all times, we should be mindful of our obligation to be responsible with our use of the University’s finances and should follow relevant procurement guidelines. IT equipment paid for by the University remains the property of the University and should be handed back should your employment end.

On-campus roles don’t lend themselves so well to agile working. It may be though that you and your manager are able to agree a more flexible working arrangement, usually this involves reducing the number of hours you work or an alternative working pattern. If this is of interest, please talk to your manager.

Many staff on Academic Professional roles will already be working agilely. For those who are not, the opportunities outlined within the toolkit are available. Individuals in roles with no set number of contracted hours should discuss outputs required with their line manager and how these might be achieved at a time/location which suits the individual, team and the University.

Assuming you have the tools, understanding and experience to undertake your duties productively, you should speak to your line manager if you are not able to achieve required outputs in your contracted hours. Similarly, if you are continually able to achieve your outputs in less than your contracted hours, this should also be discussed so that you may be given appropriate additional work to support your team members. A significant and regular deviation between the volume of expected outputs and contracted hours, regardless of whether colleagues are working agilely or not, needs to be discussed and resolved. At all times, for both the success of the University and the enjoyable working life of the staff member, it is important that a good balance of productivity is maintained for the hours staff spend at work.

Agile working arrangements will need to take account of the needs of the department as well as the needs of other team members, so it may not always be possible to agree to your specific requests. You may need to be flexible and open to alternative options to find a solution that works for the team as whole. If following discussion with your line manager, you are not satisfied with the outcome then you should discuss this with your Head of Department or alternatively contact a member of the HR Team.