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Is FlexWork@RU Working for You? Survey

As part of the implementation of the Future of Work Task Force recommendations, in September 2022, Rutgers launched the FlexWork@RU Pilot Program. The program aimed to capitalize on lessons learned throughout the pandemic, enhance workplace culture, improve employee well-being, and aid in the recruitment and retention of top talent. It also sought to bring employees back to campus post-pandemic in a structured way in order to meet the needs of our students and patients.

To assess the impacts of these flexible work arrangements on our campus communities, in December 2022, faculty, staff, and students were invited to participate in the ‘Is FlexWork@RU Working for You?’ survey. The survey was designed to gather preliminary information regarding the community’s perspectives, opinions, and experiences with regard to the implementation of flexible work arrangements at Rutgers. Using the initial faculty and staff survey data and feedback gathered during student focus groups in 2021 as a benchmark, the most recent survey focused on:

  1. student impressions about campus liveliness and access to student and academic services since the implementation of flexible work arrangements;
  2. employee impressions of the FlexWork@RU Pilot Program and workplace satisfaction;
  3. concerns about flexible work arrangements; and
  4. ways to enhance workplace culture and employee work experiences.

The feedback received from the survey was overwhelmingly positive, with many students noting an improved campus experience with faculty and staff available in hybrid modalities to address their student and academic service needs and managers and employees alike indicating that flexible work arrangements improved employee morale, enhanced their perception of working at Rutgers, and aided with recruitment and retention efforts in a difficult job market. As a result, the university decided to extend the FlexWork@RU Pilot Program through August 31, 2024. Given the changing workplace landscape, we will continue to monitor the impact of flexible work arrangements on our university mission and in service to our students and patients through additional pulse surveys to inform next steps.

Additional information will also be posted on the university’s Future of Work website.