(Please note: The UCT Leadership Lekgotla support this UCT Flexible Work Approach guideline. While these guidelines undergo further consultation, the LLG have established a period of testing in order to collect feedback. This does not constitute formal approval nor formal implementation.  In order to test the guidelines, these guidelines are published as a Pilot Version Draft. A final version together with details of implementation will be communicated after final approval.)

The University of Cape Town is a contact, residential university. While Vision 2030 states that UCT will provide both contact and digitally mediated education, and use is made of both face-to-face and online environments to perform its work, face-to-face is the primary mode of operation for its teaching and learning, research, management and support operations. On-campus presence is vital for community, collegiality, collaboration and student engagement.

However, not all UCT positions require the same physical presence on campus, and not all positions require the same work schedule. Flexible work location and schedule arrangements create an adaptable workforce capable of meeting a variety of operational needs or operating under a variety of environmental conditions.

Given the vast array of types of work at the University, we adopt a position-based, operational-need led, flexible approach – the UCT Flexible-Work Approach - to determining work schedules and work locations. This approach ensures that operational needs of the university are met foremost, while reasonably accommodating or balancing the personal wellbeing, needs and preferences of staff members.

This guideline applies to all UCT positions irrespective of contract type, unless otherwise specified through legislation, accreditation, or regulatory requirements.

No position automatically qualifies for any measure of Operational Flexibility. It is the operational need of the unit and the operational requirements of the position that determines Operational Flexibility. 

As a default, if no other arrangement has been agreed, an onsite, structured arrangement will apply.