Roles and Responsibilities
Employees who will work remotely are responsible for:
- Working with unit staff to ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies and procedures.
- Making any necessary adjustments for their personal income taxes and benefits.
Unit staff are responsible for working with the Office of General Counsel and Business and Finance Departments to ensure compliance.
Call the SSC Contact Center at (734) 615-2000 or (866) 647-7657 (toll free) with specific questions.
Employment Law
Considerations include:
- Minimum wage
- Overtime regulations
- Classification as exempt
- Meal and rest periods
- Travel-time pay
- Family/medical leave provisions
When employees are working in another state as their regular location of employment we are required to follow that state's employment laws.
- Contact the Office of General Counsel for guidance.
- State Labor Law Resource
I-9 Compliance
Federal law requires an I-9 for each person employed in the United States.
Telecommuting Agreement
A telecommuting agreement helps to ensure a safe work environment, compliance with applicable university policies and procedures, agreed upon standard work hours, communication methods, and work expectations.
Benefits
Provider networks are the primary consideration with respect to off campus benefit enrollment. Employees should select a health plan that will provide them with the desired level of coverage and provider network flexibility in their area.
Personal Tax Liability
Employees may need to consult with a tax advisor regarding their personal tax situation. See also: Travel and/or Moving Expenses. Employees who will live and work outside of the State of Michigan should complete and submit the personal data form.
Employees working for the university in another state may be required to submit a state withholding allowance certificate to the Payroll office.
Direct Deposit
In most instances, employees may update Direct Deposit information using Wolverine Access.
If the employee cannot update Direct Deposit Information online, the Direct Deposit Authorization Form should be faxed or mailed to the Payroll office.
Travel and/or Moving Expenses
Whenever staff members are required to establish a temporary residence at a remote work location for extended periods of time, they may be eligible for remote location compensation and/or reimbursement for transportation costs incurred.
- SPG: Remote Location Pay and Reimbursement of Dependent Relocation Costs
- SPG: Travel and Business Hosting Expense Policies and Procedures
- Travel or moving expenses reimbursed by the university may be subject to personal income tax. For guidance, visit the Finance website.
Unemployment
When the U-M payroll office withholds taxes for the state in which the employee is working, the employee should file for unemployment in that state. Otherwise the employee should file for unemployment in the State of Michigan. Unemployment benefits vary by state. Benefits for individuals who were employed on auxiliary or agency funds are recharged directly to the appropriate operating unit.
- State-specific information about benefit amounts paid to employees. Includes number of weeks an employee may receive benefits
- SPG: Unemployment Compensation Standard Practice Guide
Worker's Compensation and Liability
Consult Risk Management regarding coverage for potential losses or liability.
See the terms in the telecommuting agreement regarding provisions for a safe work environment and reporting requirements.
- If there is a work-related injury, fill out an injury report form.
- Risk Management will contact an insurance company in the state to manage the case.
- Risk Management will determine if workers compensation regulations applied should be based on employment in Michigan or outside of Michigan.
- If the contract for hire is in Michigan, but the work assignment is to go to work somewhere else temporarily (i.e., 6 months in another country), then workers' comp works the same as if you were working in Michigan.
- If the contract for hire or place of permanent residence is out of state, commercial insurance will be used.
University Standard Practice Guide Applicability
The Standard Practice Guide is a compendium of the university's general operating policies and procedures. The policies that are contained in the SPG are approved by university leadership and typically apply to the entire institution.