Onsite work guidelines

Effective January 1, 2026

Purpose

UCSF is a place where connection drives success. Working together in person deepens relationships, sparks innovation, and fosters learning, resulting in the collaborative delivery of quality research, education, and clinical care.

This policy outlines expectations for onsite work and provides consistency in how we come together, while maintaining a flexible work strategy to support UCSF’s mission.

Scope

Effective January 1, 2026, all UCSF staff are expected to work onsite four (4) days per week during core business hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) unless the control point’s implementation procedures state otherwise.

• The Department of Anesthesia’s control point is the School of Medicine.
• Specific onsite schedules, including the designation of anchor days, will be determined at the team level based on operational needs.
• Anchor days are regularly scheduled onsite days established by each team to support collaboration and operational needs.
• Employees are expected to follow their assigned onsite schedule unless an exception has been approved.
• Start times may range from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., provided an eight-hour workday is maintained.
• Managers and supervisors are expected to be onsite at least as often as their direct reports.
• A limited number of pre-COVID remote work agreements may remain in place, subject to review and alignment with current policy expectations.
• Implementation procedures are subject to change at the discretion of the School of Medicine.

Holidays

If an employee’s anchor day falls on a UCSF-recognized holiday, the employee is not required to make up that onsite day.

Excused Absences

If an employee has an approved leave in MyTime, such as vacation, sick, jury duty, etc., that falls on the employee’s anchor day, they are not required to make up that onsite day.

Switching Anchor Days

Employees may request a one-time or temporary change to their onsite days with prior approval from their supervisor. Personal workspace assignments are not guaranteed on makeup days, as they may be assigned to other staff. Any permanent change to anchor days must be reviewed and approved by the supervisor.

Remote Work on Anchor Days

If an employee requests to work remotely on a scheduled onsite day, it is considered a missed onsite day and must be made up within two weeks. Makeup days should be coordinated with the supervisor in advance when possible. Exceptions may be granted for emergencies or supervisor-approved business needs.

Emergencies and Unexpected Circumstances

In the event of unexpected situations (e.g., family emergencies, severe weather, illness, transportation disruptions), employees should notify their supervisors as soon as possible. Supervisors may approve exceptions on a case-by-case basis, including waiving or rescheduling the onsite requirement within the same pay period.

Compliance

Compliance with onsite work expectations will be monitored by supervisors in consultation with Human Resources and Labor and Employee Relations, as applicable to the School of Medicine Implementation Procedures. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.