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:

Unfortunately members aren’t allowed to fix both the start and the finish time on the Team Planning tool.

It doesn’t allow them, meaning that some people are concerned that they won’t be able to have a 7:30 am start as they fixed their end of day (to help meet the tool’s percentages), this also means that people are counted for one of their times in, rather than both, making it more difficult for the strictures of the TPT to be met.

Answer

The limitations of the Team Planning Tool do not override the terms of Collective Agreement 13 (c) (i), and FWHA Procedure 2 (b) and Working Hours & Working Patterns Policy 9, for the employee, if they choose to do so, to fix both the start and the end of the same day.

The Planning Tool is not to be used as a scheduling tool which means line managers need to be aware of all the employees who have chosen to fix both ends of the day.

Should a member find local management is refusing to adhere to this mandatory principle in their personal case they have a working pattern dispute and, if not resolved informally, need to raise a formal grievance within 30 working days of the notice of their working pattern plan.