Work Location & Remote Work Guidelines

Applies to: faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, temporary employees, and Graduate Student Appointments (GSAs).

The Interim Policy on Domestic and International Remote Work Standard Practice Guide 201.05-01 outlines current work practices and supports the diverse and evolving work practices of the university.

Conducting work on behalf of the University of Michigan in a location other than an employee's physical office in Ann Arbor carries legal, tax, and operational implications for both the employee and the university. Please review the information below to ensure compliance.

What You Need to Know

International Work Requires Prior Approval

• • Individuals may not perform work outside of the United States when carrying out duties associated with their University of Michigan employment appointment without prior written approval from U-M central administration (including the Office of General Counsel, University HR, and other required units). This restriction applies to work performed as part of your hired U-M role, regardless of funding source. If you are considering performing your U-M job responsibilities while located outside the United States, you must contact UMSI HR (umsi.human.resources@umich.edu) before making any arrangements. See Work Location Compliance: International & Out-of-State Work for more information. 

  • NOTE - Faculty Exception: Faculty are excluded from the centralized remote work agreement review process when they are on approved sabbatical or scholarly activity leave, engaged in research collaboration or other academic responsibilities, or working in a hybrid mode in the ordinary course of their work. However, faculty remain subject to applicable export control regulations. See Work Location Compliance: International & Out-of-State Work for more information. 

Working Outside Michigan May Trigger Tax Requirements

• Employees working from a state other than Michigan may be responsible for additional tax documentation and withholding requirements. See Work Location Compliance: International & Out-of-State Work for more information.

Staff, Temporary Employees, and Postdocs in Hybrid or Remote Roles Must Complete a Remote Work Agreement

• All regular staff, temporary staff, and research fellows (postdocs) working in a hybrid or mobile/remote mode of work are required to enter remote work agreement (RWA) information into Wolverine Access. See Remote Work Agreement Completion for more information.

• Faculty and GSAs currently do not need to complete RWAs but must comply with work location requirements. See Work Location Compliance: International & Out-of-State Work for more information.

Staff in Hybrid or Mobile/Remote Roles Have Additional Expectations

• Staff working in a hybrid or mobile/remote mode are expected to follow additional operational and performance standards, including on-site presence requirements and responsiveness expectations. See Staff Hybrid Work Expectations for more information.

Resources

• Ways We Work Resource Center

• Modes of Work 

• Remote Employment Policies and Agreements

• Remote Worker MyLinc System Documentation

• State and Local Tax Withholding Forms

• UMSI HR - umsi.human.resources@umich.edu