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:

I have seen the Confirming and Maintaining Working Patterns Factsheet, which states:

• “ If you have an 8:00am or 9:00am commitment time, you should aim where possible to flex on early to be ready for your customers at your committed time, i.e. arrive and flex on 5 minutes early if it takes 5 minutes to log on and be ready. If you have a commitment time of 5:00pm, you should aim to deliver customer service to that time and then log off. The time it takes you to log will count towards your flexi time.”

However this contradicts the ED appendix 5, point 5:

• “The working day for employees who have contact with customers will include up to 15 minutes preparation time at the beginning of the day, and up to 30 minutes  ‘close down’ time at the end of the day”

Which one is correct?

Answer

An agreement always trumps guidance. I will point this out to the author of the factsheet