Home / Programs / Speak up Be heard / Work life balance

Speak up Be heard: Work life balance

ASU Staff Council Speak up Be heard graphic element

We welcome you to submit your own comment or question. Questions and comments are published anonymously.

Winter Break

Submitted: January 3, 2023
Last updated: February 17, 2023
Status: Resolved

Comment or issue submitted:

As previous commenters have mentioned, employees should get the week between Christmas and New Years off, which falls in line with the other ABOR universities policies. While the response has been "employees can request time off", that isn't always the case when most of the team has requested off, at least a few people on the team are still required to work and cannot request time off. Is there a possibility for ASU to look further into this as many other universities have successfully managed to do this? Adding this as a benefit would place ASU in a better place for retaining and attracting employees.
Resolution:

Thank you for your feedback. We will bring your points to the appropriate leaders. If you have suggestions or questions regarding your departments vacation leave request process, we suggest reaching out to your supervisor or your internal HR liaison for assistance.

Lack of Flexibility

Submitted: September 20, 2022
Last updated: January 3, 2023
Status: Resolved
Comment or issue submitted:

It seems that the flexibility ASU claims to offer is largely only for show and, in terms of practical application, is decreasing. The flexibility of being able to work remotely more or when needed is valuable for the mental (and sometimes physical) health and productivity of employees. As a manager, I would prefer someone work remotely an extra day than take a day off, especially if they have to take an unpaid day, if they were capable of having a productive workday but had a reason that made it difficult for them to be in the office in person. The quiet shift away from being flexible and, frankly, human with employees is pretty insidious. ASU already notoriously does not land particularly high on the wage scale, so reducing flexibility as well and creating an environment wherein employees do not feel comfortable requesting flexibility when needed is certainly damaging to retention efforts and to efforts to entice high-quality employees.
Resolution:

Thank you for you feedback. Our community has demonstrated that it can adapt to remote work to ensure our employees thrive. Although support may be delivered virtually, we place a strong premium on our proximity to students, therefor ASU campus is considered the primary worksite. The Flexible Work Arrangement program is a benefit that supports staff while ensuring we fulfill the needs of our students, staff, faculty and charter. ASU offers several types of flexible work arrangements. Your internal HR department can assist you in understanding how the Flexible Work Arrangement program is used for your college/department. For more information regarding Flexible Work Arrangements, please visit https://cfo.asu.edu/telecommuting-guidelines

University Closure Days

Submitted: November 8, 2022
Last updated: December 15, 2022
Status: Resolved

Comment or issue submitted:

I am wondering why ASU does not have University Closure during the Christmas and New Years holidays. Other universities such as NAU and UA offer it. I know that President Crow sees that students don't stop being students during that time but we need to make sure that the staff can support the students when they are at work. The employees also need time to relax, spend time with family, and rejuvenate so we can be at our best for the students. he last few years have taken a significant toll on everyone, not just the students. I know we can take vacation but sometimes all requests cannot be honored due to the department. That is not fair to any employee.
Resolution:

Thank you for your feedback. Although closing the University is not in alignment with the various needs and components of the University, employees have the option of requesting time off during the holidays.

Paid Holiday Break Hours

Submitted: November 3, 2022
Last updated: December 15, 2022
Status: Resolved

Comment or issue submitted:

I feel that ASU should have paid holiday breaks. Other universities all over the US, including UA and NAU have this benefit. I feel that in having this opportunity, it would reflect that ASU demonstrates its care for the staff; it would allow them the opportunity to have a better work/life balance during this time period, especially between days such as 12/24 through 1/01. It seems as though the business need does not usually require staff on campus in these few days. It would be helpful for staff members' work/life balance to have those days granted as other universities and employers have. This is especially considering time accrued is lower for employees in their first year at ASU.
Resolution:

Thank you for your feedback. Although closing the University is not in alignment with the various needs and components of the University, employees have the option of requesting time off during the holidays.

Paid Break Time

Submitted: November 3, 2022
Last updated: December 15, 2022
Status: Resolved

Comment or issue submitted:

Many other universities, including UA and NAU, have breaks during the holidays. I feel ASU should also offer this benefit as a way to encourage a positive work/life balance. I recognize we can use our vacation time during this period; however, it is frustrating to have to do this when our counterparts and universities across the nation do not require their staff to do so.
Resolution:

Thank you for your feedback. Although closing the University is not in alignment with the various needs and components of the University, employees have the option of requesting time off during the holidays.

Holiday time off

Submitted: November 3, 2022
Last updated: December 15, 2022
Status: Resolved

Comment or issue submitted:

Universities across America are starting to offer a week of paid time off during the holidays. This would be a great option for our staff and faculty. Another paid holiday that should be reserved is Juneteenth.
Resolution:

Thank you for your feedback. Although closing the University is not in alignment with the various needs and components of the University, employees have the option of requesting time off during the holidays.

Paid Time off during holiday season

Submitted: November 3, 2022
Last updated: December 15, 2022
Status: Resolved

Comment or issue submitted:

We would like to request ASU to close during the week of Christmas to new years. Michigan State University just announced that Dec 23rd-Jan 2nd the university will provide paid time off. It would be beneficial for all staff to have this time off to visit family and friends.
Resolution:

Thank you for your feedback. Although closing the University is not in alignment with the various needs and components of the University, employees have the option of requesting time off during the holidays.

Inflation and commute

Submitted: July 7, 2022
Last updated: August 24, 2022
Status: Resolved
Comment or issue submitted:

Given the huge increase in inflation in all aspects of life and fuel I think it would be considerate of ASU leadership to consider changing the telecommute policy to 3-4 days a week university wide. Temporarily at least until fuel prices significantly drop back to $50 or under for a fill up. $100+ a week for a full gas tank for most employees is not budget friendly especially with lower wages, low staff numbers and this move would lessen emissions output also as a university. Alternative commute options such as light rail, bus, carpool, etc. are not generally not convenient, are stressful, unsafe and not a vial able option for most employees. Even allowing us to work on the campus nearest our homes would be a welcome option.
Resolution:

Though our community may deliver support services virtually, in-person or both, we place a premium on physical proximity to students to fulfill our charter. We consider the primary worksite an ASU campus or location. We understand flexible work arrangements can offer benefits for employers and employees such as workforce retention, sustainability and work-life balance. At this time, ASU requires an arrangement where the employee spends a minimum of 60% of the regular workweek at the primary ASU work location. Full remote work arrangements should be the exception and should only be granted when the university has a space constraint, the employee has a unique or rare skill set, a demonstrated retention challenge exists and/or other unique circumstances where both the university and the employee share an interest in the arrangement. If you feel you have a unique situation, please inquire with your internal Human Resources department. SPP 306 also offers Alternative Schedules.
Alternative schedules are non-standard work arrangements that include but are not limited to the following options:
1. four ten-hour days
2. a 9-day, 80-hour schedule over two workweeks (exempt employees only)
3. staggered start and stop times
4. working on weekends/evenings
5. working during second or third shifts during specific hours determined within the unit
6. working shifts with shortened lunch periods.

It’s at the discretion of the department/college Leadership to allow employees to work on the campus nearest to an employee’s home and is not a component of SPP 306. SPP 306: Flexible Work Arrangements is not a requirement, but rather a benefit that is offered to employees at the discretion of the Dean/VP/Leadership. In accordance with SPP 306, Vice presidents or deans may establish standard and/or alternative work schedules, and hybrid and/or full remote work arrangements that best meet the service and work needs of their respective areas.

Home full time

Submitted: July 7, 2022
Last updated: August 24, 2022
Status: Resolved

Comment or issue submitted:

Is there anything in the works to work from home full time notmjust 1 or 2 days a week? I work in administration HR I was wondering is it going to be possible to work from home 5 days a week to save on gas and parking and pollution? Thanks
Resolution:

Though our community may deliver support services virtually, in-person or both, we place a premium on physical proximity to students to fulfill our charter. We consider the primary worksite an ASU campus or location. We understand flexible work arrangements can offer benefits for employers and employees such as workforce retention, sustainability and work-life balance. At this time, ASU requires an arrangement where the employee spends a minimum of 60% of the regular workweek at the primary ASU work location. Full remote work arrangements should be the exception and should only be granted when the university has a space constraint, the employee has a unique or rare skill set, a demonstrated retention challenge exists and/or other unique circumstances where both the university and the employee share an interest in the arrangement. If you feel you have a unique situation, please inquire with your internal Human Resources department. SPP 306 also offers Alternative Schedules.
Alternative schedules are non-standard work arrangements that include but are not limited to the following options:
1. four ten-hour days
2. a 9-day, 80-hour schedule over two workweeks (exempt employees only)
3. staggered start and stop times
4. working on weekends/evenings
5. working during second or third shifts during specific hours determined within the unit
6. working shifts with shortened lunch periods.

It’s at the discretion of the department/college Leadership to allow employees to work on the campus nearest to an employee’s home and is not a component of SPP 306. SPP 306: Flexible Work Arrangements is not a requirement, but rather a benefit that is offered to employees at the discretion of the Dean/VP/Leadership. In accordance with SPP 306, Vice presidents or deans may establish standard and/or alternative work schedules, and hybrid and/or full remote work arrangements that best meet the service and work needs of their respective areas.

Spring Recess/Winter Break

Submitted: May 6, 2022
Last updated: May 26, 2022
Status: Resolved

Comment or issue submitted:

Why is there not a day off in between MLK day and Memorial day? Why do the other two universities in AZ have holiday days in between christmas and New years, but ASU does not?
Resolution:

The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) policy states each university can observe 10 holiday working days. It is up to each institution to determine what days are recognized. ASU chooses to observe New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day following Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Some public and private entities choose to observe Presidents’ Day and Cesar Chavez Day, but ASU hasn’t modified recognized holiday days so there is not a holiday from MLK to Memorial Day. In terms of other holiday days between Christmas and the new year, the other universities are not technically observing those days as holidays based on the ABOR policy noted above. Each university has discretion in terms of other non-work days to grant to employees. ASU maintains minimal staffing during that annual period of time and works with employees and the operations to maximize the number of employees that can take other paid or unpaid time during this period.

.