Approval of any of the three flexible work arrangements requires that supervisors engage with their division leadership, work leads and other key stakeholders to ensure that the assigned work mode will effectively meet expectations and business needs.
Hybrid Work
Definition: A Hybrid Work arrangement is one where an employee is required to work on-site for a portion of their time, but can telework effectively from an alternate off-site location for the balance of their work time.
Schedule: Hybrid Work arrangements may take the form of a fixed schedule (e.g., one to four days off-site per week), or may be fluid (e.g., general number of days or percentage of time over the pay period) as determined by the needs of the business and/or the position’s duties.
Work Location: Since Hybrid workers are expected to be on-site on a regular basis, a Hybrid Work location is expected to be within 150 miles of the Lab. For individuals who are onsite an average of less than once a week due to the nature of their work, supervisors should consider if a Telework mode is a more appropriate work mode designation.
Approvals: Hybrid Work arrangements require supervisor approval, and work space at the Lab may be shared with other hybrid workers at the discretion of their division leader- ship.
Telework
Definition: The Telework flexible work mode is an arrangement for an employee who works from an off-site location that is within 150 miles of the Lab. This mode may be feasible for employees who, as determined by their supervisor, are able to perform their work and effectively meet the mission needs of their division or department from an off-site work location. However, leadership within the Area or division may establish expectations for occasional on-site work for Telework employees as determined by business needs.
Schedule: Telework is the primary work mode however, supervisors will establish expectations or schedules for Telework employees to work on-site as needed or on an occasional basis.
Work Location: Since Telework employees are expected to be on-site as needed, a Telework location is expected to be within 150 miles of the Lab. A designated workstation on a Lab site will generally not be provided for Telework mode employees. On-site work spaces for occasional on-site visits will be determined by their division leadership and managed within their existing division space.
Approvals: Eligibility for this kind of work mode requires the approval of the supervisor and concurrence of the division director.
Remote Work
Definition: Remote Work is a formal agreement for employees who work from an off-site location that is further than 150 miles from the Lab, but within the domestic United States. This mode does not include working outside of the US. These arrangements are driven by business needs as determined by the division, and require the execution of a formal Remote Work Agreement.
Schedule: Remote work is the primary work mode. Business travel to a Lab site may be required on an as-needed basis.
Work Location: This type of work occurs when the employee works exclusively off-site as part of the terms and conditions of employment and does not maintain an office on one of our Berkeley Lab sites. However, as business needs determine, some occasional travel to and work on-site may be required.
Approvals: Eligibility for this kind of work mode requires the formal approval of the supervisor, division director, and associate laboratory director (ALD) and execution of a signed Remote Work Agreement.
Temporary mission-related assignments from one to three years to a remote location are covered under the Temporary Change of Station policy and are not considered Remote Work flexible work arrangements for the purpose of this tool kit.