Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 27 - STATE PERSONNEL BOARD › Part 120 - Mississippi State Employee Handbook › Chapter 5 - STANDARDS OF EMPLOYEE CONDUCT › Section 27-120-5.2 - TELEWORK

Current through June 25, 2024
Agencies are required to implement their teleworking policies
				  in compliance with Miss. Code Ann. §
									25-1-98 and the policies in the
				  Mississippi State Employee Handbook.
Teleworking is a privilege and does not create an expectation
				  of any right to telework. An employee's telework status may be revised at the
				  sole discretion of the agency. All employees who telework shall have an
				  approved telework assignment under this policy. An agency may have additional
				  telework requirements, guidelines, or procedures, provided they are in
				  compliance with Miss. Code Ann. §
									25-1-98 and the policies in the
				  Mississippi State Employee Handbook. All agency telework policies and
				  agreements must include that employees understand that teleworking is
				  authorized as agreed to or as assigned by a supervisor.
Teleworking does not change the job duties, obligations,
				  responsibilities, or terms and conditions of agency employment including
				  requirements for taking leave. Teleworking employees must comply with all
				  agency rules, policies, practices, and instructions. Department directors or
				  their designee shall continually assess whether an employee's telework
				  assignment is effective and accomplishing the responsibilities and mission of
				  the department.
Requirements
In order to implement telework policy for one or more of its
				  employees, an appointing authority shall:
* Determine whether or not telework is in the best interest
				  of the agency. In doing so, the appointing authority may seek guidance from the
				  State Personnel Board in determining what forms of work activities can be
				  effectively and efficiently managed through a telework arrangement;
* Establish procedures to protect any information that is
				  privileged or confidential under state or federal law;
* Require all teleworking employees to sign a telework
				  agreement that includes their work schedule, provides for supervisory oversight
				  through the review of work product and deliverables on a regular basis,
				  requires the protection of privileged or confidential information that is
				  managed remotely on an agency computer or other devices, establishes protocols
				  for accessibility to coworkers and clients, workplace safety, and any other
				  matters deemed appropriate by the appointing authority; and
* Establish work schedules that ensure that some personnel
				  are at the appointing authority's offices to provide direct contact with the
				  public.
* Develop a telework policy which complies with Miss. Code
				  Ann. §
									25-1-98 and the policies outlined
				  in this manual.
All agencies who allow employees to telework shall report to
				  the State Personnel Director the following information by the date designated
				  by the State Personnel Director:
* the names of employees who are allowed to telework,
* the employees job titles,
* each telework employee's office schedule, and telework
				  schedule
All agency employees who telework must sign an acknowledgment
				  or agreement that they have read the agency's telework policy and their
				  telework assignment and will comply with the terms and conditions in
				  both.
Reporting Requirements
Each agency who allows employees to telework must submit to
				  the State Personnel Director via the telework reporting portal on the MSPB
				  website:
* A copy of their telework policy for approval before
				  implementing a telework system.
* A signed copy of MSPB's official telework acknowledgement
				  form located on MSPB's website at
www.mspb.ms.gov
signed by the agency head or
				  their designee certifying that:
> Their agency's telework policy complies with Miss. Code
				  Ann. §
									25-1-98 and the policies outlined
				  in this manual and
> Each agency employee who teleworks has signed an
				  acknowledgment or agreement that they have read the agency's telework policy
				  and their telework assignment and will comply with the terms and conditions in
				  both
* A list of all employees who are allowed to telework, their
				  job titles, and each employee's office and telework schedule. When determining
				  schedules, agencies may determine schedules as needed or as assigned by the
				  supervisor
If an agency changes its policy, then it must upload the
				  updated policy and the required acknowledgments to
www.mspb.ms.gov
within thirty (30) days of the
				  change for MSPB approval.
MSPB will randomly and periodically audit agencies to ensure
				  compliance with the statute and polices. Agencies not in compliance or allowing
				  telework without MSPB approval of their policy will be reflected on the MSPB's
				  annual telework report to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations
				  Committees, the Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committees, and the
				  Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure
				  Review.