TO: UOG Employees
FROM: Thomas W. Krise, President
SUBJECT: President’s Directive 2021-03: Guidelines for Remote Work and Flexible Work Schedule

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The University of Guam remains fully open, and all classes, activities, and operations should continue in accordance with our University Pandemic Plan and Procedures and its Aug. 24 amendment.

Be advised that the governor’s recently released Executive Order No. 2021-21 (dated Aug. 27, 2021) and DPHSS Guidance Memo No. 2021-21 (dated Aug. 28, 2021) mandate and provide guidance on the following requirements:

1. Suspended in-person instruction and activities for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade
   All public and private schools serving pre-K through 12th grade will suspend in-person instruction and activities, except to conduct activities that support distance learning, such as curbside pick-up, delivery of materials and documents, and use of facilities by students, faculty, and staff to facilitate distance learning.
2. Limits on congregations and social gatherings
   The number of persons in congregations and social gatherings is limited to no more than 10 vaccinated persons indoors and 25 vaccinated persons outdoors. These limits do not apply to UOG classrooms and labs. However, it does apply to events and activities such as commencement, convocation, conferences, meetings for specific purposes, athletics, and others.

The University must ensure student learning and success are prioritized and operations continue uninterrupted, including administrative support services in accordance with these requirements.

Guidelines for Remote Work

Many UOG employees may be impacted by the recent Executive Order and DPHSS Guidance Memo. As such, employees should make alternative plans for the care of their children while they are at work. If employees are not able to work due to childcare or other non-work-related tasks, they should be on leave status or on an approved flex-time schedule.

During the pandemic, supervisors continue to have the authority to approve remote work or flex-time work schedules by exception and will ensure faculty, staff, and administrators are fulfilling their responsibilities for which they are receiving pay.

Supervisors are also responsible for ensuring sufficient coverage of duties or cross-leveling of responsibilities to avoid delays in customer service actions and operating processes. Anyone experiencing a delay should report it to the appropriate supervisors for action.

BOR Resolution 20-14 established the following remote work and flexible work schedule guidelines during the pandemic. Further guidance from the resolution is provided below:

1. Remote Work Plans. Supervisors shall develop and implement Remote Work Plans for their employees that permit them to effectively perform their job duties outside of UOG’s campus. Remote Work Plans shall conform with applicable  regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements and shall give UOG employees the:
   1. Ability to meet deadlines.
   2. Ability to perform job duties.
   3. Ability to communicate effectively with students, customers, stakeholders, and other team members.
   4. Ability to manage their work time effectively.
2. Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance. All Remote Work Plans shall comply with UOG’s Americans with Disabilities Act Policy, and supervisors shall work with UOG’s EEO/Title IX/ADA Office to develop reasonable accommodations for UOG employees who may need to work remotely.
3. Remote Work Plan Monitoring. Supervisors shall monitor their employees to ensure they are complying with the Remote Work Plans and shall ensure their employees are:
   1. Following a work schedule that is equivalent to full-time status, which is a minimum of 40 hours a week.
   2. Communicating with their supervisors and team members at least once per hour during Remote Work hours only if requested by the supervisor, with responses to work requests being made by the employee in at least a one-hour period from the work request being made, during Remote Work hours only, via electronic means such as Zoom, Skype, email, or telephone and the employees must perform their assigned tasks in a timely manner.
   3. Using a secured local area network or Wi-Fi network for performing their work duties.
   4. Available between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays exclusive of holidays and weekends to perform their work duties, unless other Remote Work hours are approved in advance by the supervisor.
   5. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the employee’s supervisor in advance.
   6. A UOG employee’s failure to adhere to these requirements may subject them to disciplinary action.

Questions concerning guidelines on personnel status can be referred to the Human Resources Office by email at hro@triton.uog.edu or by phone at (671) 735-2350.