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Can we be forced to take a floating week?

  • 02-03-2009 5:19pm
    #1
    axel rose
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,050 ✭✭✭


    Well the title says it all really. I work in the PS in a job that requires cover 24/7. There are rumours abound that our roster will be changing soon. Over the years I have found that rumours have a nasty way of becoming fact.
    No one has a problem with the rosters changing, (it happens regularly enough) however this rumour of a floating week where we would be expected to work lets say 30 hours in a given week but not given notice of when those hours will be. There is nothing in our contract covering this, basically we are contracted a certain number of nightcovers and weekends in a month.

    I get the feeling that it cant be done but is anyone aware of legislation covering this.

    Lets assume that yes I am glad to have a job but like a lot of people, my colleagues and I have certain obligations outside of our work, childcare and such.


Comments

  • #2
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    During the 1990s a number of defining court cases were taken by the unions to determine just what Management's rights were concerning the alteration of people's terms and conditions in the public sector. The case most frequently quoted concerns the PSEUs court case on behalf of two employees in the Revenue Commissioners. The Court upheld the decision of Government and stated that it had an “unfettered right” to alter the terms and conditions of its employees.

    Employees in the private sector have much greater security of employment rights concerning their terms and conditions and contractual obligations, than public sector employees have. This is rather ironic, given the perception of public sector security- in particular media reporting of such.


  • #3
    axel rose
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,050 ✭✭✭axel rose


    Actually I just got word that its not a floating week- Its a floating MONTH!!!!!!

    Thanks for the reply. But as I said before noone at work has a problem with hours being moved around, we all work on a 24/7 roster anyway. Its the fact that there is a month that we are on call to come in with no advance notice. If I am on call that means I dont know my childcare arrangements, cant go away for a night, cant drink,etc.

    Do I have to make my personal phone available 24/7 for a month?


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