Telework

	UNDER CONSTRUCTION: This article is incomplete and under construction. Direct questions to TLT (tlt@winona.edu).

Telework refers to the practice of working off-campus, making use of online tools and your phone. This includes teaching, interacting with students and employees, participating in meetings, and accessing Winona State University data and services. Your need to work remotely may be routine or situational (e.g., illness, campus closure). Winona State University Information Technology Services supports telework by providing the access, services, and support you need to work remotely yourself and manage teleworkers.

Telework versus distance learning

Although many of the topics covered in this article apply to both roles, students in online courses are not classified as teleworkers. How to succeed as an online student and how to supervise online students are covered in other articles. If you are teaching for Winona State University from an off-campus location, all of the telework fundamentals below apply to you. In addition, please consult more specific information about this important role.

Telework fundamentals

If you telework for Winona State University, either as a routine part of your job or on a situational basis, you must understand the following:

Technology requirements

Internet connectivity

High-speed Internet access: Telework typically requires reliable, high-speed Internet access through a wired, WiFi, or cellular connection. Whether you need continuous access throughout the workday will be determined by your supervisor and job requirements.
Off-campus networking problems: Winona State University Information Technology Services has limited ability to troubleshoot and resolve off-campus networking problems. Please report such issues to the Technical Support Center (TechSupport@winona.edu, 507-457-5240, Somsen Hall 207), but we may need to refer you to an external service provider.

Devices

Personally-owned devices: The use of personally-owned devices for work purposes is governed by Minnesota State Board Policy 5.22 and 5.22.1. Winona State University Information Technology Services supports the use of personally-owned devices for telework, but certain restrictions apply.
University-owned devices: Winona State University employees are provided with university-owned devices (e.g., laptops, desktops, mobile phones) at their supervisor's discretion. All full-time faculty receive a university-owned laptop through the eWarrior Digital Life and Learning Program that is supported by Winona State University Information Technology Services for telework.
Laptop and desktop computers:
Mobile devices:

Virtual private network

Remote access to some Winona State University services requires connecting to our virtual private network (VPN). This establishes a remote connection as secure as your campus connection, through which you can access systems and data with elevated security policies, including:

Personal and departmental network drives

Presence

When working remotely, how do your supervisors and coworkers know you are on the job? When it comes to verifying that you are working, supervisors will share their expectations with you. Completing tasks and regular email communication are common methods. Many groups also use the online status feature in Microsoft Teams to monitor presence and availability. When logged in to Teams, supervisors and coworkers can see your work status (e.g., Available, Busy, Do Not Disturb, Offline). This is synchronized with your Winona State University Outlook calendar automatically, but can be adjusted manually.

Communication

How do you communicate with your supervisors and coworkers?

Online services

How do you access the services you need to get your work done?

Files and data

How do you access private and shared files?

Teamwork

How do you work together with your supervisor and coworkers?

Meetings

How do you participate in meetings from a distance?

Managing teleworkers

Preparation

Technological readiness

Have you integrated work tools and systems that allow off-campus access? Do all of your employees have the Internet connectivity, devices, and VPN access they need to work remotely?

Training

Are all your employees trained to work remotely? Are you trained to supervise them?

Supervision

Do you have processes in place to supervise the work of remote employees effectively?

External links