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 Technology factsheet:

 “What will change for Technology?

Each team will manage their staff flexi-arrangements in line with the DWP Flexi Working Hours Scheme. Under the proposed new Scheme, the general rule will be that Flexi can only be accrued from 08:00 (or from 07:30 for those with a 08:00 fixed start).

We expect the vast majority of individuals to start work no earlier than 8am. Colleagues will be able to accrue flex before 8.00am if supporting a customer that starts before 8.00am and there is a business reason to do so. We will continue to support a good work life balance for colleagues, whilst meeting our customers’ needs.

Nobody has an automatic right under a Flexible Working Scheme to always go home at the same time or before peak business hours have finished.

On the whole, colleagues at this stage won’t be asked to fix either the start or end of the day. That’s as long as, the right number of people are working to ensure the smooth running of our services when they need to be available. Teams will decide and account for how this will be managed in their areas, using the option to fix times if this is necessary.”

Issue from members:

As you can see, we are not being asked to fix the start or end of day therefore line managers have taken this as staff cannot flex on before 8am i.e. that we cannot access the ability to come in at 7:30 am by fixing their start time as 8 am. Can IT withdraw from the provisions of the Employee Deal in terms of the 7:30 am start (if members choose to fix their start time at 8 am).

Answer

The corporate centre have backed down on this and said that, as long as there is the required cover at the end of the day, then there is no limit on the number of staff who can fix an 8.00 start and so flex on from 7.30