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Flexible Work Arrangements policy

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Section 1 - Preamble

(1) This Policy is effective from 18 October 2019.

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Section 2 - Purpose

(2) This Policy outlines the University's commitment to flexible work arrangements that promote and create an inclusive and positive work environment benefiting staff and the University.

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Section 3 - Scope

(3) This Policy applies to all staff of the University. For staff employed on Senior Staff Performance Contracts, this Policy applies subject to clause 19 of the Deakin University Enterprise Agreement 2017.

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Section 4 - Policy

(4) The University aims to embrace flexibility across our entire workforce to accommodate the varying needs of staff.

(5) The University offers a range of flexible work arrangements including:

  1. part time employment;
  2. job share arrangements;
  3. working at different University locations, working from home  or other locations, on an ad hoc or regular basis;
  4. family friendly flexible work arrangements and leave for staff with parental or caring responsibilities;
  5. making reasonable adjustments for staff who have a disability or other health condition;
  6. flexible work patterns and flexible hours for Professional staff;
  7. flexible leave arrangements including purchased recreational leave, parental leave, personal leave, leave without pay, study leave, volunteering leave, gender affirmation leave and domestic and family violence leave; and
  8. pre-retirement conversion opportunities.
These flexibilities provide a number of benefits for staff  and the University.

(6) For staff these flexibilities can:

  1. enhance job satisfaction
  2. improve their health and wellbeing
  3. enable them to balance their personal, health and work commitments.

(7) For the University these flexibilities  can:

  1. enhance productivity
  2. improve staff engagement and commitment
  3. enable the University to retain knowledge and experience
  4. assist the University to attract talented staff
  5. promote an inclusive and diverse workforce.

(8) The University will promote, encourage and support flexible work arrangements where they are consistent with organisational needs.

(9) A staff member may apply for one or more flexible work arrangements at any time during their employment. Any application will be considered  by their manager, taking individual and organisational needs into account.

(10) Staff and managers may seek advice from their Senior HR Business Partner/HR Business Partner or their Head of Organisational Unit in relation to any request for a flexible work arrangement.

(11) Many flexible work arrangements can be agreed to by managers and implemented at the local level. However, other arrangements require the approval of designated roles such as the Executive Director, Human Resources in accordance with the relevant Procedure.

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Section 5 - Procedure

(12) The following procedures document how to comply with this Policy:

  1. Domestic and Family Violence (Staff Support) procedure
  2. Flexible Work Arrangements procedure
  3. Leave and Public Holidays procedure
  4. Making Reasonable Adjustments for a Member of the University with a Disability or Health Condition procedure
  5. Professional Development (Professional Staff) procedure
  6. Workloads and Hours of Work procedure.
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Section 6 - Definitions

(13) There are no definitions arising under this Policy.