Resources
Tips and tools for remote employees
Tech
KNOW-HOW AND EQUIPMENT Level up your tech
As stated in the work location guidelines, employees in remote or hybrid positions may obtain the equipment necessary to complete their assigned duties from a remote location, such as a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, trackpad, docking station and footrest.
Employees working in remote positions may also be supplied with a printer, printing supplies and/or additional equipment with their applicable university leadership approval, based on the employee's job duties. The employee and applicable leadership must complete the Off-Campus Equipment Form.
Employees must maintain a sufficient bandwidth internet connection to allow for a productive remote work experience. The university will not reimburse internet, phone services or other utilities while the employee is working remotely.
VPN
Information Technology Services strongly recommends the use of the University's virtual private network (VPN) when working remotely to better ensure the protection of University data and computing systems.
Microsoft Teams
Connect with your team and other colleagues in your department at the click of a button.
Zoom
Zoom web conferencing allows for real-time interaction in “rooms," an ideal way to transition from in-person meetings to online.
Forward Your Office Phone
While you are away from your desk or physical phone, you can have phone calls from your Cisco VoIP phone ring on other devices:
- Forward your office phone to your personal phone: Employee works from a single-user office/dedicated space 4-5 days a week, but is working off-site tomorrow and doesn’t want to miss any work calls. This gives them flexibility to use their desk phone when they are in the office.
- Have your work phone number ring on your PC or other smart phone: Employee works 2 days a week on site and 3 days a week at home. They may also share an office/workspace with another employee. They don’t have a consistent schedule of which days they are on-site vs at home so they want the flexibility of answering a work call via Teams or their smartphone.
- Using Microsoft Teams to make and receive calls: Employee works 100% remote and wants the ability to easily answer and make calls from their PC or the Teams App on their smartphone. Another employee may work a hybrid schedule, but does not want to use a smartphone for answering work calls.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is available to all University of Kentucky employees. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. You can install them across multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, Android tablets, Android phones, iPad, and iPhone.
Resources
Store your files in the cloud
Options for storing your files in the cloud include Microsoft OneDrive and Sharepoint.
Resources
Cybersecurity
ITS has web-based trainings on cybersecurity for remote work:
Remote Work Cybersecurity Basics
Remote Work Cybersecurity Advanced
You can search for these course titles in myUK Learning.
Resources
Computers and equipment
When you use computers or other hardware owned by the university, you have access to tech support.
If you experience technical issues with a personal computer you're using to work remotely, we may be able to help. Our tech help services now include basic troubleshooting for devices you own and use for university work.
IT Customer Service
Call 218-help for IT Customer Service support or to schedule support assistance.
Campus hardware
How to temporarily check out university-owned equipment:
- Assess your needs: computer, docking station, displays or other office equipment.
- Download the Off-Campus Equipment Report Form from Capital Assets Accounting.
- Request approval from your department using the form.
UK HealthCare hardware
Department leaders will loan employees certain remote work equipment and may purchase additional computing equipment from their departmental budgets, as needed.
To request the purchase of a new computer or move an existing computer to a remote work location, go to the IT Service Portal (Click "Services" at the top; Click "Desktop;" for new computer select "Hardware – New Device;" to move a computer to a remote work location select "Hardware – Move."
For all other IT issues, please go here and select Report an Issue at the top; a Field Service Technician will contact you.
Best practices for working remotely
Cybersecurity best practices
Working remotely presents a prime phishing opportunity. Please report any or all suspicious emails to isthisemailsafe@uky.edu.
More tech support
Campus
Call: 859-218-HELP (4357)
Email: 218help@uky.edu
Customer service agents available to chat from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
UK HealthCare
Call: 859-323-8586
Email: ukhcit.service@uky.edu
Use the service portal anytime