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

Further Answer

I have not picked this issue up anywhere else so I do not think it is widespread.

I have therefore asked National management to speak to the PIP Management at Warbreck to tell them that staff can come in at 7.45 if they have a fixed 8am start and can have up to 30 minutes wrap up at the end of the day if they have a fixed end time.

Hopefully that will resolve it.

(Please note that the Branch has flagged up that the WAD JSA Management have also flagged this up as an issue)