Members have raised questions with the Branch on specific points. We have raised these with PCS DWP Group and have received answers, the details are published below:

Question 1:

The new employee deal working pattern preferences tool it appears that staff put down their preferences on start and finish times on the preference tool.

 

There doesn’t appear to be anything about fixing one end and being flexible at the other end of the day, you are asked to give your preferences on start and finishing time:

 

“You will need to ensure the team requirements for the key working hours are still met if you change your preferences. If not you will need to have a discussion with your team colleagues to agree how the demand will be met. Once the changes have been agreed, access the planning tool and amend your preferences.”

 

So members are responsible for cover for their preferences at the start and end of the day, their “preferences” appear to therefore fix the start and the finishing times.

 

This is in stark comparison to the employee deal:

  

13 c. Each employee will commit to fix either the start (e.g. 8:00 and/or 9:00 on weekdays) or the end of the day (e.g. 17:00 and/or 18:30 on weekdays, rising to 17:00 and/or 20:00 as demand requires); in due course, this will include a commitment either to be working at the start of a Saturday (9:00) or the end of a Saturday (17:00).

 

15 f. Employees who have committed to be present by fixing either their start time or end time will be responsible themselves for arranging for a colleague to take on their commitment before they can flex off or take unexpected leave, and they must take responsibility for informing the manager of the change – although this general expectation will not prevent employees taking leave in emergencies;

g. Where employees guarantee their attendance at certain times by fixing either their start or finish time, that will generate adequate resources to meet customer demand at those times. The flex arrangements above should also ensure that consent to work flexibly at the opposite, non-fixed end of the day will be assumed, with line managers overriding this assumption exceptionally. 

Answer

We are aware that the tool does not allow staff to fix one end of the day and are taking it up nationally.