BOZEMAN — Imagine this: you've built your entire routine working from home, then one day, it simply disappears.

That's the reality many Montana State University (MSU) employees are facing as the university rolls out the end of most remote work arrangements beginning July 1.

“My job is—as long as I have a solid internet connection, I can do my job, that’s it. I VPN in and I have access to all of the databases I need,” said Joseph Hancock, who works in Fiscal Services at MSU.

Hancock said he was finishing a degree this year and was ready to make working from home his new normal.

Then came the announcement, informally, at least. Hancock said there was no formal message from MSU leadership, only closed-door meetings within departments.

Curious about the impact of MSU’s decision on its workforce? Watch our video to get firsthand accounts from employees as they navigate this transition.

“Because there is no announcement, there is no accountable person to reach out to ask why,” Hancock added.
While that “why” remains unanswered, many employees say they’re too afraid to even ask.

Nearly ten remote workers who spoke to MTN News requested anonymity, citing fear of retaliation.

“I take great pride in working at MSU and supporting its mission of accessible education and student success… In recent years, MSU has used the option of remote work as a meaningful benefit… The removal of this flexibility will impact not only morale but also productivity,” one employee wrote.

Another said that working a hybrid schedule allowed her to attend critical doctor’s appointments.She also tells me other remote workers are scrambling to secure childcare in time for the July transition.

“We’ve asked for transparency and communication, and our leadership met us with silence,” another anonymous employee stated.

With many staff members feeling unheard, MTN News reached out to MSU leadership for a response.

Michael Becker, Vice President of Communications for the Montana University System, explained that remote work was never intended to be a permanent arrangement.

“The default work arrangement expected by the MUS for all employees is on campus and in person,” Becker wrote.

“Supervisors have met with employees to give them ample time to make the necessary adjustments for their return to work, effective July 1. While the university is moving away from renewing or accepting new requests for remote work, it will continue to honor agreements that still exist, in accordance with the terms of those agreements, even if those agreements expire after July 1.”

Becker added that only 7% of MSU employees currently work remotely.

But for many, including Hancock, the change feels rushed and mistimed.

“This is a clumsy, ham-fisted effort to implement a policy in between presidential administrations,” Hancock said. “Whether it’s some sort of bias they have towards specific careers, or simply because they have outdated understandings of how the office environment functions.”

MSU statements:

The Montana University System Board of Regents Policy 715 states, “The default work arrangement expected by the MUS for all employees is on campus and in person.” That policy goes on to clarify:

Any remote work arrangement (RWA), whether temporary or in place for an extended period, must advance the university’s mission and shall not reduce or impede the quality of instruction or service provided to students, co-workers, or members of the university community. Working remotely is not a right, and not every position is eligible for an RWA. It is an option extended at management discretion, and, if approved by an authorized supervisor, is subject to individualized conditions that may be amended or revoked at any time without advance notice.

Remote work became widespread in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent national labor shortage. Those circumstances are behind us now; therefore, the need for remote work cannot be justified in the same manner.

During the pandemic, MSU called back employees from remote work in April 2021, to be effective July 7 of that year. Since then, only a small percentage–roughly 7% – of MSU’s workforce has remained working remotely, and most of those are doing so for only a portion of the work week.

Remote employee statements:

• “In addition to the complete lack of communication or explanation, many of us still do not know where we will be stationed. I was surprised to hear of the purchase of Nopper for over 6 million dollars, an amount the university could surely use in a better way - especially as Vice President Leist stated during the Board of Regents that it is “vintage.” Meaning they will be spending many more dollars to bring it up to standards.” - Anonymous employee
  
• “My wife has health issues and is very concerned about being forced to be working back in an office environment. I should note that in my personal case, being told last year that I had to be back on campus was a big hit. It also really angered me that other groups in IT did not have the same requirement. They were allowed to work remote and/or hybrid.” Anonymous employee
  
• “The removal of this flexibility will impact not only morale but also productivity—particularly for those of us who complete complex, focused tasks more efficiently from home. Perhaps most disappointing is the absence of dialogue with staff prior to this change. It has fostered a sense of mistrust and discouragement, and many of us feel our voices and contributions were overlooked in the decision-making process.” Anonymous employee
  
• “University leadership was fully aware that remote work was being used by HR as a recruitment and retention tool. It had become part of how MSU attracted and supported talented employees. Many staff members built their lives around the expectation that these arrangements would continue. To remove it now, without warning or justification, feels like the rug has been pulled out from under us. No one works at MSU for the paycheck, we stay because we believe in the mission, the community, and the work/life balance this institution champions. To say this has been a disappointing conclusion to President Cruzado’s tenure for many staff would be an understatement.” Anonymous employee
  
• “We have asked for transparency and communication, and our leadership has met us with silence. Putting our incoming president in a difficult position. Unfortunately, when there is no communication, people make up their own narrative, and that is exactly what is happening. A tough environment right now.” Anonymous employee