Program Overview

As part of the Arizona’s Connected Workforce program, and in response to lessons learned about remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the statewide remote work policy was updated in December 2020 to include increased flexibility in remote work options. The current policy allows agencies the flexibility to offer multiple workplace alternatives to eligible employees, including full-time virtual office arrangements, partial remote work, hoteling, and traditional resident office work.

• Remote work, previously referred to as telework, is a management option that allows qualified state employees to work from home or another approved location one or more days a week.
• Virtual office is a workplace arrangement that allows qualified employees to work full-time from an assigned, fully functional workstation that is located in the employee’s home or another approved remote location that has no facility costs to the State or agency.
• Hoteling is an arrangement that allows employees to utilize unassigned, non-permanent workstations on an as-needed basis, subject to availability. Some State agencies are incorporating agency-specific hoteling workstations into their individual floor plans. There is existing hoteling workspace available to all State employees on the first floor of the building located at 1400 W. Washington Street, and the State is evaluating whether to incorporate additional shared hoteling spaces in State buildings as part of future space-planning projects.
• Resident office is a traditional workplace arrangement whereby employees work from an assigned workstation within a State or agency-leased building. 

Employees interested in participating in remote work, virtual office, and/or hoteling must meet the remote work requirements, complete the required training, and work with their supervisor to complete a remote work agreement that must be renewed annually.

 Alternative Workplace Options

As part of the Arizona’s Connected Workforce program, and in response to lessons learned about remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the statewide remote work policy was updated in December 2020 to include increased flexibility in remote work options. The current policy allows agencies the flexibility to offer multiple workplace alternatives to eligible employees, including full-time virtual office arrangements, partial remote work, hoteling, and traditional resident office work.

• Remote work, previously referred to as telework, is a management option that allows qualified state employees to work from home or another approved location one or more days a week.
• Virtual office is a workplace arrangement that allows qualified employees to work full-time from an assigned, fully functional workstation that is located in the employee’s home or another approved remote location that has no facility costs to the State or agency.
• Hoteling is an arrangement that allows employees to utilize unassigned, non-permanent workstations on an as-needed basis, subject to availability. Some State agencies are incorporating agency-specific hoteling workstations into their individual floor plans. There is existing hoteling workspace available to all State employees on the first floor of the building located at 1400 W. Washington Street, and the State is evaluating whether to incorporate additional shared hoteling spaces in State buildings as part of future space-planning projects.
• Resident office is a traditional workplace arrangement whereby employees work from an assigned workstation within a State or agency-leased building. 

Employees interested in participating in remote work, virtual office, and/or hoteling must meet the remote work requirements, complete the required training, and work with their supervisor to complete a remote work agreement that must be renewed annually.

Program History

The State of Arizona Telework program was first launched as a pilot program in 1990, with a goal of improving air quality by reducing commute-related pollution as required under ARS 49-588.  Following the success of the pilot, the program was formally established through executive order in 1993. The current executive order mandates implementation within every agency, board and commission, with a goal of reaching 20 percent participation among state employees in Maricopa County.

At the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency, state agencies quickly implemented broader use of remote work sites. Seeing improved efficiency and cost savings during 2020, the Arizona's Connected Workforce program has helped to move the State of Arizona toward developing a supportive remote work culture.

Revisions to the State’s remote work policy (ASPS/HRD-PA5.01) published in December 2020 replace the previous telework policy, which was designed for employees who worked remotely one or two days per pay period.  The new policy reflects changes to make the program more flexible and includes provisions for virtual office arrangements. The policy is a general framework for remote workers in all state agencies and does not attempt to address the special conditions and needs of all individuals. Agencies are encouraged to develop their own policies and procedures in alignment with the State policy to meet the needs of the agency.

To reflect the changes to the program and policy, the remote work training and remote work agreement were updated in 2021. The new computer-based training includes an employee academy and a leadership academy for supervisors who are leading a team that includes remote workers.

Likewise, the remote work agreement has been redesigned in a digital environment. The links on the right-hand side of this page offer additional information regarding the remote work program.