So far hundreds of URA members have submitted comments about how the Flexible Work Arrangements helps the university operate effectively and efficiently while improving quality of professional life and personal job satisfaction. Many commented about how any roll back in Flexible Work Arrangements in our contract would result in office overcrowding, lack of campus parking and contribute to traffic on and around campus. See comments below extracted from a few surveys and complete the Flexible Work Arrangements survey to add your voice to the discussion.
Excerpts:
How would the elimination of the Flexible Work Arrangements provision of our contract affect your commuting?
* My commuting will be affected tremendously. Besides tolls and gas costs skyrocketing…the commute to New Brunswick is also significantly stressful as it is and to add an additional two days will be mentally draining.
* I depend on SEPTA and on days that I go to campus there are often delays. When I work from home I get started right on time or even earlier. My commute would increase by 3+ hours a week, minimum. I would possibly have to buy a second car, which isn’t feasible.
* Could no longer share a vehicle, would need more childcare…have been in several accidents commuting and my mental health would severely suffer.
* Overcrowding in office. Our space was reduced. Parking already fills with people working 3in/2out. Takes me 30 minutes to drive the 5 miles to get home already.
How would your work-life balance be affected if remote/hybrid work arrangements were eliminated in your department?
* It will definitely have a negative impact in my morale, and feel like a bird having their wings clipped, so to speak. The bottom line is that business is getting done, super effectively with remote work. It improves our pride in working for Rutgers. Rutgers is better for it!
* Since working remotely and hybrid, I have been able to give attention to my mental and emotional wellness. I take advantage of gained time from not commuting on my WFH days to attend fitness classes, which has improved my physical health (with blood work to prove it) and emotional health. ..I know Rutgers provides wellness options, but I like to be part of my home community for peace of mind.
* I meet with students regularly as the undergraduate administrator and advisor… I meet with students via Zoom and in person. I can meet them in person 3 days a week, Zoom five days a week. No students have ever been forced to meet only via Zoom if they wanted to talk with me in person. Some students prefer Zoom, some in person, and they fit it in whatever works with their schedule. I have never once felt remote work negatively impacted my time working with students, staff, or faculty.
How would your professional life or workplace setting be affected if hybrid/remote arrangements in your department were to be eliminated?
* I think staff morale all across Rutgers is very low, and this would make it worse. Additionally, we offer remote services to students that many of us would not be continuing once back in the office full time.
* My work can be done 100% from home. I initially worked five days remote, then four, but in the last year we were expected to be in the office three days a week. We’re being told that for reasons of fairness and equity, we may need to give up our flex work schedules … There’s no reason to be physically present in the office. Meetings are still hybrid, or fully remote.
* Due to space limitations in our building, I currently share an office with someone. Our schedules are staggered so we don’t stay in the office together more than 1 day/week. We both see students. And I am on zoom throughout the day. This will be impossible to be together every day.
* There is not enough space at our two sites to house employees and provide teaching rooms.
Additional comments:
* My unit is still open 5 days a week. We also offer callbacks, zooms and Sales Force to manage. Compared to previous years student population coming in office to handle concerns has decreased dramatically.
* Has the Administration provided any rationale for eliminating flex work? If so, have they provided any data for each rationale, i.e., student satisfaction data, student preference, reduced work proficiency, etc?
