The Institute has announced that all staff will work in-person starting the 2025–2026 academic year with few exceptions.
In an email sent March 31 to Tech employees, the Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance detailed the plans to depart from the virtual and hybrid working procedures established in 2021, Working @ Tech, in light of the coronavirus pandemic. In the email, the department stated, “standard operating procedure will be in-person work.”
Beginning Aug. 1, all staff will work primarily on-site, either on the Atlanta campus or at a satellite location.
Kim Toatley, the former interim Executive Vice President of Administration & Finance and Chief Business Officer for Tech, told the Technique that the exact number of employees returning to the office is not yet clear, but that the Institute is “committed to transparent communication as we fine-tune staffing plans.”
Toatley confirmed that there will be a phased approach to bringing employees back on campus. “The transition will begin by focusing on student-facing positions,” said Toatley. “However, all staff positions will be reviewed by August 1.”
Telework options will continue to be available in “limited, special circumstances when the business needs and job responsibilities of the unit support a telework request,” Toatley told the Technique. “Other flexible scheduling options for onsite work, like compressed workweek or variable schedules, remain available to eligible employees.”
In anticipation of telework changes, the department is partnering with University Systems of Georgia (USG) to modify telework policies and existing infrastructure.
“The current electronic system that houses telework approvals will freeze on April 30, 2025, and a new electronic system that incorporates recent updates will launch on or shortly after May 1,” said Toatley to the Technique.
The previously existing Working @ Tech Arrangements offered three different flexible work options, including options for employees to compress 40 hours of work in less than five days, to adjust their start, end and lunchtime and to telecommute. Flexwork alternatives had to adhere to Tech and USG policies, and the choice to participate in the flexwork options was left to the judgment of individual units based on their job duties.
By the end of the month, Administration and Finance stated that they would provide further information on the telework approval process as well as guidance on office and parking spaces for staff moving on campus. The change will not alter the Office of Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management (EOCCM), which will provide accommodations to employees with medical needs upon request.
Students working on campus are unsure how this adjustment will affect their roles on campus.
“My department hasn’t officially communicated any updates about the University System of Georgia’s return-to-work policy,” said Emily Higdon, third-year ME and employee in the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) in the E-Text Department.
“I currently balance my classes and work based on a flexible setup, and stricter in-person requirements might limit my availability due to Georgia Tech’s hours,” said Hidgon. “Flexibility can make a huge difference for students like me who are trying to juggle a demanding academic schedule and part-time work.”
The shift to full-time employees working in-person at Tech is part of a national trend of ceasing virtual and hybrid work environments. On Jan. 20, President Trump signed a memorandum directing the heads of federal departments and agencies to “terminate remote work arrangements,” and make exceptions in only cases deemed necessary at the discretion of department heads.
As federal employees have returned to office en masse, many have faced logistical challenges finding office space, parking and internet connectivity issues.
Return-to-office orders have become common outside of public institutions.
Several Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and AT&T, have mandated that all employees return to the office five days a week starting this year. In Georgia, Home Depot announced a new policy in January requiring employees in some departments to transition from hybrid or remote work to working in the office four days a week.
Many of these institutions, including Tech, have stated that in-person work will better position employees to connect with each other and with the people they serve.
“Being physically present supports mentoring, creativity, and the everyday moments that make our Institute a vibrant and welcoming place to learn and work,” stated Administration and Finance in their email announcing the change.
“While we cannot anticipate every potential impact, we hope this will be a positive change that will add to the vibrancy of our campus and the quality of services we are able to provide for our students,” Toatley said. “Our goal is to strengthen student experiences and the overall Georgia Tech community.”