Scope:
This guideline supersedes Guideline 622, Work Activities Outside the Library (revised 3/20/2001). It governs work activities by Library Staff Employees (Faculty, Exempt Staff, and Non-Exempt Staff, permanent and or temporary) which range beyond the Library duties and responsibilities as outlined or implicit in position descriptionsperformed outside of the Library during the paid work day. Activities undertaken outside of the paid work day are not subject to approval beyond what is stipulated in other campus or state policies concerning consultancy reporting, conflict of interest, etc.
The "paid “paid work day" day” is here defined as the portion of the work day to which the employee is committed, though his/her through an established work schedule, as contributing toward fulfillment of the minimum work week or other additional hours approved to be paid as overtime or accrued as compensatory time.
General Principle:Principles
Participation in work activities performed away from the regular duty station (i.e., the UMBC campus) during the paid work day must be approved by the Director of the Library. For those outside activities clearly within categories defined below and involving relatively relative small time commitments, approval is delegated to Associate Directors or Unit Heads.
Approval and funding of travel requested in association with covered activities is contingent upon approval of such activities (that is, no travel can be reimbursed for an unapproved activity.) . Funding of travel for approved activities is not automatic, but is subject to the separate State & state and USM policies and Library guidelines governing reimbursement of travel expenses.
Activities ordinarily approved:Approved
Supervisors will ordinarily automatically approve activities in the following categories. Staff Employees must advise supervisors in advance of them so as to facilitate management of schedules, planning, and to ensure continued operation of the Library.
- Activities mandated by the campus UMBC Office of Human Relations Programs, Office of Human Resources, the Provost, the President, or their designees.
- Activities implied by job descriptions or assigned by supervisors
Activities generally approved:Generally Approved
Supervisors may approve activities in the following categories provided they will not, in the judgment of the supervisor, impair daily operations or ability to meet the objectives of the unit. Borderline cases should be reported to and discussed with the Director of the Library or designee.
- Activities which assist other campus administrative or academic units or campus governance (e.g., University Senate committee service).
- Meetings which contribute to a local, regional, or national professional organization or to a library enhancing project, and which are scheduled during the staff member's member’s paid work day. Work schedules may not be adjusted to include meetings scheduled outside of the normal schedule unless this would result in significant hardship for the individual.
Activities generally not approved:Generally Not Approved
The following activities expected to fall outside of the normal paid work day will ordinarily not be approved as library work to be accomplished within the paid work day. Furthermore, staff are reminded that in In accordance with University policies, Library resources such as telephones , and photocopiers may should not be used in support of unapproved, non-library work.
- Research and publication work not required by the employee's duties. For research and publication work judged by the Director to contribute significantly to the campus mission, library resources such as telephones, photocopying, etc., may be allocated.related to the employee’s duties.
- Voluntary support of campus or outside groups such as fraternities, sororities, alumni associations, political, charitable or other such groupscharitable organizations, etc.
- Contributions to local, regional, or national professional organizations which can be scheduled to take place outside of the paid work daynot related to the employee’s duties.
It is the employee's employee’s responsibility to achieve a clear understanding with the supervisor regarding arrangements for and approval of activities which fall within these guidelines. In many cases, approval and communication requirements are satisfied by submitting travel request forms for meetings to take place during the work day.
Outside Professional Consultancy
For Faculty and Exempt/Associate staff only:Outside Staff only, outside professional consultancy or services (paid or unpaid) performed must be reported in writing to the Director as required by USM policies. See Library guideline 651 for Guideline 651.
Teleworking
Regular Teleworking Agreements
The Library follows the UMBC Telework Policy (VII-1.00.01). Library employees may be eligible for telework based on the nature of their assigned and implicit duties, current and previous year performance ratings, degree of supervision required, employee skill, availability of suitable off-site office space and technology, and other factors, as described in Policy VII-1.00.01. The supervisor will determine which employee(s) and position(s) are eligible for teleworking. The employee and supervisor must complete and file the UMBC Telework Agreement, Remote Workplace Certification Checklist, and Teleworker Plan before the telework schedule begins.
Examples of the types of work which may be suitable for telework include:
- Writing-intensive activities, such as preparing grants, performance reviews, committee reports, documentation, or literature reviews
- Data entry and statistical or data analysis
- Preparing for library instruction, workshops, or presentations
- Participating in online meetings or webinars, or extended phone or conference calls
- Research and/or writing for publication, exhibition, or presentation (for faculty in permanent status track positions)
Temporary Teleworking Situations
Supervisors may also grant temporary telework privileges, at their discretion, in the event of inclement weather or extreme traffic or parking disruptions, or when the Library is closed for an emergency or other reasons. Refer to Guideline 672, Performance Standards for Working Off Site when Library is Closed, for details.
Reference: L. Wilt memo to C. Powell10/9/91Previously implemented
Guidelines revised 8/9/91, 3/20/01
Typographical ; Typographical editing 1/8/08
Revised and name changed, 12/16/2020