CU guidelines for work flexibility: Adapting for staff quality of life

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic during the past two years, Chulalongkorn University, as an agency under government supervision, has had to adjust its practices and the work patterns of its staff. More flexible formats have been adopted as alternatives to working only onsite. These include reducing the number of days that staff are required to work on the university premises, and/or shifting to working from home or working remotely to reduce the risk of disease transmission and spread. The university thus has set and announced guidelines for staff work with flexibility.

Staff are able to choose either working on a different time schedule or reducing the number of days spent at the university, in combination with working from home or working remotely on days when they do not come to the university. This however, must not affect work efficiency and total working hours must be not less than 40 per week. First adopted in 2020, the format is still in use. https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/28293/

Chulalongkorn University Announcement of Guidelines for Staff Members During the Covid-19 Infection Outbreak

Based on the above, Chulalongkorn University has put into practice a system to support the operation of working from home or working remotely for staff who choose to adjust their schedules to reduce their working days at the university. The Office of Information Technology Administration has provided and supported the necessary software and hardware such as CU email, teleconferencing and VPN (virtual private network) applications and paperless systems, along with advice and assistance to support personnel so that they can work from home smoothly and efficiently in the same way as at the work site.  [ https://www.it.chula.ac.th/all-services/ ]

In addition, the cabinet has approved guidelines for new ways of working as well as a manual containing guidance for civil servants to use. Government agencies have been assigned to consider adopting those guidelines and manuals appropriately.

The new work operation models are divided into 3 types:

Model 1: Onsite operations with staggered schedules, such as setting working hours to 4 periods: 07.30-15.30, 08.00-16.00, 08.30-16.30 and 09.30-17.30

Model 2: Onsite operations by adjusting working hours based on staff lifestyle preferences without affecting work efficiency. Total working hours must not be less than 40 per week.

Model 3: Offsite operations in accordance with the draft regulations of the Office of the Prime Minister on offsite work of government agencies.

Sources : [ https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/319628 ]
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Chulalongkorn University is using the government’s guidelines that support a new way of life and work to adopt a pattern of work practices in accordance with work styles and requirements. As a result, personnel will be able to perform their missions effectively while also considering quality of working life and their own way of life to enhance balance and sustainable working operations.