Version: 3        Creation date: 2021        Last review date: 2 November 2025

1. Purpose

Near East University aims to develop and implement flexible working arrangements that accommodate the diverse working needs and circumstances of its staff while ensuring the effective and sustainable achievement of institutional objectives and delivery of services. This policy seeks to support work efficiency, promote work-life balance and contribute to an inclusive, sustainable and employee-centred working environment.

2. Scope

This policy explains the principles and processes for requesting, assessing and implementing flexible working arrangements.

3. Definitions

• Flexible Working: Flexible working refers to working arrangements that allow employees to vary their standard working hours, location or pattern while continuing to meet their job requirements.
• Remote Working: Remote working refers to performing duties outside the University campus, from home or another location.

4. Eligibility

All Near East University employees, including academic and administrative staff, have the right to request flexible working arrangements in accordance with this policy.

5. Types of Flexible Working

• Adjustment of Working Hours: Employees may request adjustments to their daily working hours to better accommodate personal needs, such as caring for dependants or commuting outside peak hours.
• Remote Working: Remote working allows employees to perform their duties outside the University campus, taking account of job requirements and subject to agreement with their supervisors.

6. Requesting Flexible Working

Employees requesting a flexible working arrangement must submit a formal request to their immediate supervisor (administrative staff) or head of department (academic staff). The request must specify the type of flexible working requested, the proposed working days and hours, and the reasons for the request. Supervisors or heads of department are responsible for assessing requests in light of each employee’s circumstances, ensuring that job requirements are met, and maintaining open communication with employees throughout the process.

7. Approval Process

Flexible working requests are assessed within 10 working days of submission. Approval or refusal is communicated to the employee in writing by their supervisor or head of department. If a request is refused, the supervisor or head of department must clearly state the reasons for the decision. Employees may request reconsideration if they believe that their working conditions or personal circumstances have not been adequately taken into account. Reconsideration is carried out by a person or unit authorised by the University for this purpose, other than the person who made the initial decision.

8. Remote Working Guidelines

Employees working remotely are responsible for maintaining a safe and appropriate working environment, complying with University policies and protecting the confidentiality of University information. Regular communication between remote employees and their on-campus colleagues is important for maintaining teamwork and collaboration.

9. Performance and Evaluation

Flexible working arrangements are reviewed periodically to assess whether the agreed working conditions and performance objectives are being met. Employees are required to fulfil their assigned duties, responsibilities and performance objectives. Supervisors or heads of department may request that the Human Resources Directorate amend or terminate a flexible working arrangement in circumstances such as changes in the nature of the work or working conditions, periods of increased workload, a need for duties to be performed in person, or an employee’s failure to meet the agreed performance objectives. Any decision to amend or terminate an arrangement is communicated to the employee in writing, together with the reasons.

10. Environmental Awareness

Near East University recognises that remote working can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing employee commuting and the associated carbon emissions. The University encourages staff to consider the environmental impact of their working arrangements and to support institutional objectives for reducing the carbon footprint.

11. Monitoring and Review

This policy is reviewed periodically and updated as necessary. The policy is an integral part of the University’s commitment to a flexible, inclusive and sustainable working environment.