UN Flexible Working Arrangements - Telecommuting outside the Duty Station
Frequently Asked Questions
UN System Model Policy on Flexible Work
This is the Model Policy from the High Level Committee for Management (HLCM) that each organization can customize according to its needs and implement, in consultation with Staff Representative bodies.
On a high level - Flexible Work (FW) is a powerful tool to promote work-life harmony for all and complement the mandates of the United Nations System Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy and the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy amongst others. The COVID-19 pandemic made new ways of working possible for a variety of job roles.
FW is intended for all personnel irrespective of status or background. FW is also intended to support all personnel across a range of situations without discrimination, stereotyping or biases. While recognizing that not all roles or functions may be suitable for all types of flexible working
arrangements, managers are encouraged to explore the range of FW to see what might be suitable for the specific job role, team, time period and context. Managers should be empowered to decentralize and expedite the processing of FW requests.
Organizations, in particular those with a field presence and specialized technical agencies, will need to consider functions that require on-site presence at the duty station and /or at the office and the overall operational environment, noting that certain roles and /or functions cannot be fulfilled easily if working outside of the premises and/or outside of the official duty station.
Joint WHO/ILO Technical Brief: Healthy and Safe Telework
This report, jointly produced by the ILO and WHO, outlines the health benefits and risks of teleworking and the changes needed to accommodate the shift towards different forms of remote work arrangements brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the digital transformation of work.
The report outlines the roles that governments, employers, workers and workplace health services should play in promoting and protecting health and safety while teleworking.
UN Secretariat
Information Circular - Flexible Working Arrangements
Date: 11 June 2019
The Global Fund Teleworking Guidelines
Date: 13 March 2020
The Global Fund - Tips & Tools for Flexible Working Arrangements
Date: March 2020
UNAIDS Flexible Working Arrangements Policy
HRM/IN 2013-7
Date: 22 November 2013
UNAIDS guidelines for teleworking arrangements
UNAIDS guidelines for teleworking arrangements during COVID-19 outbreak
SCBD Policy on Flexible Working Arrangements
SCBD follows the policies of UNEP
[74th Council] Joint Session on Agile Contract Modalities
Agenda and Summary Sheet from the 74th Council Joint Session
Framework for Contractual Arrangements in the UN Common System
As noted and regulated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC)
74th FICSA Council - Enabling Technology
Council Agenda and Summary Sheet
Presentation from UNICC - Emerging Technology and Digital Ethics
Speaker: Marco Liuzzi, Chief Operations Officer,
UN International Computing Centre (UNICC), Geneva
[Press release] MOU and Partnership between FICSA and UNICC
FICSA and UNICC team up to secure a brighter “Future of Work”
for UN staff - Joint Press Release by FICSA and UNICC
Enabling technology: impact of digitalization and AI as causes and enablers of organizational change
The full report by Dr. Aditya Jain that led to the readiness plan and the YouTube video presentation by Dr. Jain during 74th FICSA Council
Enabling technology: readiness plan for staff representatives
Get ready for the Future of Work with this readiness plan for staff representatives, with a focus on creating a positive psychosocial work environment.
Review the readiness plan here.
[Powerpoint] Ask the FICSA Expert - Enabling technology: readiness plan for staff representatives
The presentation used in the YouTube video.
[Youtube video] Ask the FICSA Expert - Enabling technology: readiness plan for staff representatives
Get ready for the Future of Work with this readiness plan for staff representatives, with a focus on creating a positive psychosocial work environment.
See the Youtube Video and review the background documents.
Future of Work and participation of the Federations in the Work Streams
As mentioned in FICSA Comm 70/20 - Request by the three staff federations to be included in the discussion on Future of Work by the HLCM.
High-level Committee on Management at its 37th session (2019)
The launch of the Future of Work initiative is reported on page 14 onwards.
High-level Committee on Management at its 38th session (2019)
The HLCM provided a status update on the Future of Work from page 2 onwards of this report.
High-level Committee on Management at its 39th session (2020)
The HLCM provided a status update on the Future of Work from page 2 onwards of this report.
High-level Committee on Management at its 40th session (2020)
The HLCM provided a status update on the Future of Work from page 2 onwards of this report.
High-level Committee on Management at its 41st session (2021)
Although there was no specific mention about the Future of Work taskforce, the various updates from the HLCM touches on all the workstreams.
Summary of the 74th FICSA Council session on Future of Work
A high level summary of the three sessions that took place during the virtual 74th Council on Future of Work on Remote Working, Agile Contracts and Enabling Technology.
Interim report of the task force on the future of the UN system workshop
CEB/2020/HLCM/16 Discussion paper
UN System Model Policy on Flexible Work
CEB model policy