SUNY Statement of Flexibility

SUNY Encourages Campuses to Take a Flexible Approach to Accommodating Family Care Needs

One outcome of contract negotiations for the 2007-2011 Agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions was a letter from SUNY encouraging campuses to recognize the importance of a flexible approach to accommodating family care needs. The letter, reprinted below, reflects "conceptual agreements" reached at the bargaining table during discussions about family leave and work-life balance issues.

Text of letter from SUNY to campuses:

"During the course of negotiations for the 2007-2011 Agreement, UUP raised concerns involving family leave and the balance between the demands of work and family responsibilities. Such issues impact employees throughout their entire career cycle and may differ widely from employee to employee.

"Issues range from child-rearing, child care to spousal care or elder care issues. Employees are often confronted with the need to balance the many, sometimes, competing, priorities of their employment and personal lives.

"While maintaining SUNY's level of excellence and competitiveness in higher education, we should also be aware of the need to find balance between personal/family life and the professional life. A culture of supporting employees in a manner consistent with their employment obligations when the responsibilities of family life are particularly demanding may help employees balance their work/life commitments.

"In that regard, and as fulfillment of a commitment made at the negotiations table, this letter serves the purpose of encouraging campuses to recognize the importance to employees of a flexible approach to accommodating family care needs."