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:

 

A Senior Manager in the DWP has said;

 

The answer is yes, that employees who fix to start at 8.00 am may commence work from 7.30am, providing three conditions are met:

 

• The employee has their line manager’s permission; and,

 

• there is work to be done between 7.30am and 8.00am; and,

 

• that is the most productive time to do that work.

 

I was led to believe that if you fixed your start time at 8 am you did not need line manager’s permission to start at 7:30 am, please see the extract from the employee deal.

 

15. Existing flexi time agreements will be reviewed, in consultation with the trade unions, on a Directorate by Directorate basis in 2016/17 to ensure they fully support the working pattern arrangements described in this agreement. All revised or new Directorate flexi time arrangements will enshrine the following principles:

(a) Employees may attend during the flexible working period providing there is work that is required to be done and the timing is the most productive for that work. Other than in ad hoc cases agreed with the manager, flex can be accrued from 08:00 (or from 07:30 for those with a 08:00 fixed start).

 

Answer

 

The letter is wrong about needing line management permission to start at 7.30 if you have a fixed 8.00 am start.