University limits staff's remote working

The THES reports today that Liverpool Hope University have implemented a working policy requiring all staff to work the full 35 hours of the working week on campus unless they obtain formal permission to work off site.  Academic staff in particular have described this as s a "shocking" example of micromanagement, an "insult" to their professionalism and an assault on the "autonomy of academic life".

While the University's aim is laudable - to be a real campus university serving the community of students - staff feel that the implications are to bring more of a school tone to Higher Education and that this is inappropriate for an institution which should be promoting academic excellence, intellectual study and independent thought.

The new Liverpool Hope policy document states:

• working from home should be an "exception to the norm and can be authorised only by a dean in each instance".
• staff must keep "a careful note of activity engaged in during such absences that, if required, they are able to discuss with an authorised line manager".
• staff must record where they are working.

It does seem that such a policy sidesteps latest theory and research into good practice and is not even the norm for the academic sector.

Where a flexible working policy can empower staff to meet objectives rather than just putting in time, this kind of policy can be seen as calling into question the professionalism and academic integrity of staff.

A flexible working policy can enable staff to work at their most productive times and in places which suit their work/life balance, and is even good for the environment, as it reduces the hours spent in travel.

Apart from direct contact with students for teaching and learning when staff of course must be on campus, there are many times of year and types of work (such as planning, research, writing papers, and supporting distance learners) which are suited to remote working, and a University with its advanced IT infrastructure is almost uniquely placed to provide remote access that is perfectly adequate to enable staff to work from home or anywhere else.

Compromises are already being discussed - last week, the policy was amended to say that the rules would apply less strictly to staff with "recognised researcher" status.