Civil Service - Right to request flexible work hours

Daith

Was just reading this about a new bill to allow employees to request flexible working hours if they're a parent or carer. While obviously the devil is in the detail, would this allow people in the civil/public service, who are on grades that don't allow flextime? Obv the department can say no, but if some said yes, I couldn't imagine them creating a new flexi system. Maybe a flexi system that doesn't allow flexi leave.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40854269.html

Augme

Grades AP and above already have flexible working hours in the Civil Service. They might also have the chance to apply for worksharing, or shorter working year?

Also, the Bill only provides for a right to request. Which is a big difference to a right to have.

Daith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119917129#Comment_119917129

Oh yeah I know it's a right to request which is different.

I was looking at this circular and it says

"Flexitime will only be available for staff up to Higher Executive Officer (HEO) grade and its equivalents in the Civil Service, as appropriate."

https://www.gov.ie/en/circular/46f72-circular-142022-revision-of-working-hours-in-the-civil-service/

I guess I'm just wondering if the new request, if granted, would take precedence over this circular.

Augme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119917253#Comment_119917253

Sorry, I used the wrong term. I've fixed that now. APs and above alreadyhave flexible working hours.

Hotblack Desiato

Grades above AP don't have flexible working hours.

Augme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119937673#Comment_119937673

What do they call it then? I know they don't work the hours as prescribed in their contracts.

Hotblack Desiato

They don't clock in or out, they're expected to attend 'as required', no overtime (as are APs)

Daith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119940716#Comment_119940716

Fixed hours. Whether in practice some end up working flexible hours anyway, technically they have fixed hours.

So I guess with the right to request flexible working under some conditions, the Civil Service can't just say you're on grade X which doesn't give flexible hours, they'd have to come up with a different wording to deny that request.

But if they do grant the request, I wonder what it would look like, or would it be flexitime hours without building up flexitime or very individual.

Augme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119943101#Comment_119943101

But no AP or Department, that I know of anyway, actually sticks to those fixed hours. So any AP who would make a request under the new Bill can be told that their request has been granted and they can stick to the exact same work pattern they have been on for the last X years.

APs have flexible working hours in everything but their contract. What will be interesting is if the Bill provides for specific flexible working options.

In general though I am surprised the Bill isn't going into the territory of discrimination since it only applies to parents or carers.

Daith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119943456#Comment_119943456

Yep, though there are other grades within the Civil Service that don't offer flexible hours. They mightn't have the flexibility of an AP manager :)

There's a commitment from the current Minister, which of course could change, to extend this request to all people, not just carers/parents.

Anyway it was just me thinking about in the context of the new blended/flexi hours and if there would be a standard across the CS or just a very individual level.