Flexible Work Schedules

Flexible Work Schedules

Penn's Flexible, Hybrid, and Remote Work Policy describes the university's expectations for staff members when they are working off campus in an approved flexible work arrangement.

During the academic year, GSE staff and faculty observe a 3:2  - 3 days in office, 2 days remote, unless an alternate accommodation is approved. More flexible work arrangement options are available during the summer. Those options are listed below.

Please note that these options may reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Requests are subject to the manager's and GSE HR's approval and are evaluated against the department/program's needs. 

News & Announcements

Flexible Staff Schedules for Summer 2026

GSE will once again offer more flexible schedules this summer for eligible staff, from June 1st to August 14th. Please see the options below:

  • 3:2 - 3 days in office, 2 days remote
  • 2:3 - 2 days in office, 3 days remote
  • 4 Longer Days & 1 Shorter Day - Longer hours Mondays to Thursdays, shorter Fridays
  • 4 Longer Days & 1 Day Off - Longer hours Mondays to Thursdays, off Fridays
  • Shifted Hours - Shifted start and end time (e.g., 10am - 6pm)
  • Fully Remote - Short period (up to 2 weeks)

Please review Penn’s Flexible, Hybrid, and Remote Work Policy and discuss with your supervisor a schedule that works for your team. Once it's agreed upon, request any hybrid or remote arrangements in Workday by June 1st for approval from supervisors and GSE-HR, even if it's the same from this semester. 

For step-by-step guidance, check out the Workday tip sheets listed below. Please note that you can only have one active flexible work arrangement at a time. If changes are needed, you have to end your current arrangement (for example, from the spring semester) before requesting a new one. 

  • Ending: Search bar --> "End My Flexible Work Arrangement" --> Sent to HR for acknowledgement
  • Requesting: Search bar --> "Request Flexible Work Arrangement" --> "Employee Requested" --> "Other" --> "Type" --> Comments (if needed) --> Questionnaire (1-2 sentences OK)  --> Sent to manager for approval --> Sent to HR for acknowledgement --> Approval confirmation sent in Workday

You can always check if you have an outstanding flexible work arrangement by going to the search bar and typing in "End My Flexible Work Arrangement".

Additional guidelines:  

  • Managers have the flexibility to manage work schedules based on demands, including approving occasional changes.
  • Managers may ask employees to work onsite on their remote days and require onsite meetings. In these instances,  managers should give as much advance notice as possible.
  • If regular/ongoing changes need to be made to an employee’s schedule, managers should check in with HR before approving these changes.
  • Decisions for entire teams to work completely remotely for more than two consecutive weeks must be made at the school level.  Reach each out to GSE-HR for guidance. 

Please also remember to use your accrued paid time off for some well-deserved downtime this summer and encourage your team to do the same! You can view PTO balances in Workday --> Personal --> My Time Hub. And don’t forget, a variety of Penn wellbeing resources are available to support you and your family.

Fall semester hybrid schedules will resume August 17th.