Covering the work left by someone on maternity

connundrum

On behalf of someone else:

If there is a shift work team of 5 managers, and 1 goes on 6 months maternity, do the other 4 have to pick up the slack i.e. change their shift patterns, complete the 20% extra work between them etc.

Or

Is the employer obliged to fill the vacant position temporarily?

I'm not looking to argue the point either way, just looking to see is there a directive on it.

Dave

Nody

They need to pick up the slack as there's no need to fill the position legally (excluding the 48h a week average working week etc.).

RainyDay

There is no directive or standards. If you're a union member, talk to your union rep. If you're being coerced into doing unpaid overtime, talk to NERA.

seamus

There's no requirement either way.

Sometimes an employer will bring in a temp to cover the leave, other times they'll use other staff. It really depends on the situation.

connundrum

Thanks all.

Victor

If each of the other managers works 42 hours per week, then 24 hour cover can be provided every week.

However, problems could arise with the scheduling of managers' meetings and leave - if one of the four managers is on leave. To provide 24x7 cover, each manager would need to work 56 hours per week, which makes it impossible to give people a day off per week. Each manager is allow one period of 35 consecutive hours off, which would have the remaining two managers working 17.5 hour shifts.