Civil Service - Post Lockdown - Blended Working?

Rasher_Sausage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120303025#Comment_120303025

Yeah 20 years ago orobably!!

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120303025#Comment_120303025

Nope, not seen it used by any departments. Teams, sure (unfortunately); Zoom and Webex seem to be used by many. Microsoft had improved a lot over the last few years, but Windows 11 and Teams are annoying me - Teams assuming because I used it once, it must start every time I switch on my computer, and not accepting valid logins. Ugh.

Daith

The pain of someone asking you how to allow a Skype for Business user to access Zoom or Teams because one Dep member wanted to join. Good to see they've migrated over now.

Blended working really is a bit of a hodge podge really. I guess it has to be with the amount of roles.

EarWig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120303821#Comment_120303821

Go Ctrl, Alt, Delete to pull up the task manager.

Hit More Details, then there is a Startup tab on the top.

Just disable Teams there.

hardybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120303821#Comment_120303821

As far as I'm aware any of the Departments on the OGCIO Build to Share Platform will, and are, using Skype. They may also use Zoom and Teams in those Departments that aren't on that central OGCIO platform.

I'm no IT expert, but from my experience those who were on Skype could continue to receive their phone calls etc. as normal no matter where they were working from, but those who weren't were messing around with mobile phones and had to have two different contact numbers.

Hotblack Desiato

That's not the case, we've got rid of Skype

hardybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120305031#Comment_120305031

A mixture of approaches I'm sure, but it's also not the case that Department's aren't using it.

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120304565#Comment_120304565

Yes, I know.

And the next time I have to join a Teams meeting, that will reset to 'On startup', again.

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120304886#Comment_120304886

Definitely not the case. The OGCIO don't decide what platforms anyone uses, for a start, outside of the BTS portfolio, and BTS doesn't include video conferencing, or phone communications. People have had "two different contact numbers" for years, WFH didn't change that. My desk phone has been forwarded to my mobile, permanently, for 3 years. When my current workplace moves to unified comms, I'll probably lose the desk phone entirely. It's unlikely I'll be using Skype, though.

EarWig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120305992#Comment_120305992

Oh, yes.......it's like weeds........ impossible to get rid of.

Kirbi

My experience aligns with harybuck's - Skype for Business being the primary contact method, and it having a phone number that replaced the landline on the desk entirely (so people can be contacted on the same phone number regardless of whether they're WFH or in the office).

I find it works well, but we do also use Webex for some external meetings.

This is across 2 CS orgs over the last year, both of which have it through OGCIO.

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120306348#Comment_120306348

My last two places both use OGCIO BTS apps and one runs Webex, one Zoom. Most (all?) UC platforms have a soft phone which will run on a smartphone and will replace any need for a desk phone.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120302719#Comment_120302719

There’s a union for every type of role.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120306412#Comment_120306412

You’re mixing up the OGCIO apps with the OGCIO managed desktop service. The latter used SfB for voice, messaging and video communications. Zoom and Teams are allowed by arrangement.

Loueze

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120303025#Comment_120303025

Not mine.

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120306449#Comment_120306449

Might well be, nowhere I've worked has used the latter, my last two places have used various BTS apps.

Hotblack Desiato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120306441#Comment_120306441

True but that poster really needs to find or create a more suitable thread. HSE is a very very different animal from the civil service, never mind the fact there are myriad employers under its auspices.

rsl1976

Hi

Does anyone know the policy for blended working in the office of the Ombudsman

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120321697#Comment_120321697

In the October 2022 survey I ran here, one person responded from the OotO. They said a blended working policy was in place, and you could work "One day WFH, four in office; or Two days WFH, three in office" (from the options available in the survey) but they then commented "Bw minimum attendance in my office is 50% - not one of the options on the list." so may be worth clarifying with OotO HR. The person wasn't sure what the story was with flexi.

Kigera

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120321697#Comment_120321697

Judging by FORSA Winter 2022 magazine, which published a report of Blended working per Dept, the Office of Ombudsman schedule is: 'Not weekly - 50% over 2 weeks'

Reader65

Hi All,

Anyone any insights on Blended working programme in DCEDIY or insights into DCEDIY at all ?

Considering a position at AP level, would really appreciate any insights or advice

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120366635#Comment_120366635

Back in October, two people in DCEDIY responded to the blended working survey here (now several pages back). The Department had a blended working policy in place from October. One person was working 2 days in office, 3 WFH, the other said you could work from home 1, 2 or 3 days/week.

sinbadthesailor

Does anyone know what (if any) remote working set up IHREC have (Irish Human Rights...), thanks.

iridescence91

Hiya guys.

Does anyone know what the current policy is in for WFH in Dept of Foreign Affairs? Are they a good dept to work for? Thanks

Hotblack Desiato

OPW anyone?

I found a post from last year saying 2WFO / 3WFH was possible and accruing flexi time/leave while WFH, can anyone confirm if there is any change?

Thanks!

adelcrowsmel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499224#Comment_120499224

I know someone working there, they are 2WFO and 3WFH, I think they are only allowed to work up flexi on office days but can double check this for you.

Danny1101

Hi all. Can anyone advise what the current hybrid working arrangements are in the DSP? Also are you able to accrue flexi time while WFH?

It's an IT role, not sure if that makes a difference.

TaurenDruid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120384073#Comment_120384073

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120416082#Comment_120416082

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499224#Comment_120499224

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120505286#Comment_120505286

I ran a survey back in October '22 on here, by which time all departments/organisations were supposed to have their blended working policies in place (not all did). You can look up the results starting with post #2034 on page 68 (on desktop). I'm not aware of anywhere that's changed policies since then, but that's not to say it hasn't happened. My own employer is currently conducting a review of blended working policy (I'm not expecting anything major to change).

Working in IT (and other sections with internal customers, like Facilities Management) can be different, but nothing other than you'd expect. When "everyone" was WFH full time or near enough, we had to have IT staff on site every day to deal with end-user hardware, for example. That hasn't changed, just now every other section has staff in too.

adelcrowsmel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120500429#Comment_120500429

Just to confirm you can currently only work up flextime on the days you work in the office in the OPW!

Covidhaveago

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120505286#Comment_120505286

I have heard that the DSP has mandated that all new hires are full time in the office for their first year/probationary period before they can apply for WFH. Idk how true that is, just what I heard.