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Civil Service - Post Lockdown - Blended Working?

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Comments

  • Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Yes, mine does. Granted several times during covid due to pressure of work.

    I don't work Fridays, but had to work some due to business needs (end of year, etc) and Time in Lieu was approved for those days.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 193 ✭✭andydurnin


    What section are you in?



  • Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I'd rather not say what Department I work in currently, if you dont mind.

    But if anyone in any Dept has any concerns or questions about things like Time In Lieu being withdrawn, they should bring it up with their Lead Worker Representative and make sure this feedback is being reported back to Unions and DPER.

    Forsa will be able to tell you who the LWR is in your area.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,289 ✭✭✭TaurenDruid



    Flexi is gone. Which means if you're asked to work more than 7h24/day (the default) or your contracted hours, they absolutely do have to either give you TOIL or overtime. I can't remember for definite, but IIRC, it's your choice, too, whether it's overtime or TOIL.

    You do not work for free.

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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,325 ✭✭✭cuttingtimber22




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,289 ✭✭✭TaurenDruid


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 357 ✭✭LegallyAbroad


    I would say most do. It's a rare AP or PO who works contracted hours or fewer.

    People just get the job done. Have never experienced any colleagues off the clock tracking their hours.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,289 ✭✭✭TaurenDruid



    Yes, absolutely, people just get the job done. I regularly work more hours than I'm contracted to work, and it's not a problem. But, specifically, when there's overtime allocated for a job, and HEOs are supposed to "donate" free hours, just because, and not get TOIL or overtime pay? Well - let's just say there's more than one way to skin a cat.

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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 357 ✭✭LegallyAbroad


    Sorry, on full agreement on that. If you're entitled to OT then no question.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,350 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    Has anyone gotten any updates on mask wearing, or perhaps not mask wearing?

    No mention of this in anything I’ve seen. The’ ‘wear while walking around’ policy always seemed a bit silly to me.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,289 ✭✭✭TaurenDruid


    Seems more sensible than deep cleaning an office on a Monday because someone might have had COVID on the Friday. I gave up licking desks in primary school!

    But no, the request here is still "please continue to wear a mask in common areas."

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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,050 ✭✭✭gazzer


    We have found out that our canteen is out of bounds when we go back in a few weeks so we are going to have to eat our lunch at our desks. I know there is the option to go out for lunch but like a lot of people I tend to only take a half hour for lunch and in the past would have brought my lunch in and ate it in the canteen upstairs.

    Not a massive issue I suppose in the scheme of things but it's still nice to have that little break away from the desk



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 949 ✭✭✭gauchesnell


    why is your canteen out of bounds? I always eat my lunch at my desk but there shouldnt be any reason for a canteen is out of bounds...unless it is closed?



  • Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Is your canteen the lunch room type, with a kettle and microwave, etc, or is there actually a kitchen serving hot meals? Our canteen is closed as there is not enough staff in on any particular day to warrant the kitchen being re-opened.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,050 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Basically the areas around it have been taken over by a section that needs added security so no access for us to that floor



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,050 ✭✭✭gazzer


    The canteen used to be both but was then changed to just provide a seating area to eat your own food. We have stations around the office to make tea and heat food but they are tiny. About the size of a toilet 😁



  • Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Right, I get you. I wonder will full canteens serving meals come back at all, with WFH. Probably not. I hadnt thought about that until now.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 556 ✭✭✭laoisgem


    I know I'm replying to a few but no mention of canteen (subsided) being brought back in. Nor was there ever an option to use the empty canteen.

    As regards to masks, same as before, moving beyond your desks you mask up.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,350 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    Same as before re masks for me too, but you'd wonder why, given that they are no longer required in retail or hospitality.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 556 ✭✭✭laoisgem


    Lot's saying the same here, should be personal choice at this stage.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,987 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    It is where we are.

    I'm partial to your abracadabra,

    I'm raptured by the joy of it all.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,174 ✭✭✭hardybuck


    Would there be a lot of people working in your office?

    There's an awful lot of people working in pretty shoddy conditions, and then others who working in really high spec new facilities. Sometimes people get used to it or aren't aware how bad it is until they get out and about and see other offices.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,050 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Probably around 350 in total but we will only be in 2 days a week so that number will be spread out over the days.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,350 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    Did you get formal notification making it a personal choice?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,987 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    Yes. Not required at desks and optional in shared areas, moving around, lifts.

    I'm partial to your abracadabra,

    I'm raptured by the joy of it all.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 309 ✭✭BhoyRayzor


    Would it not just be advisory, like on public transport.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,350 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    In theory, yes. But we've had no notice of lifting the previous rules, so they are still in effect.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,858 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    The "return to work" is well underway in public service bodies. Staff to attend at offices a minimum of 3 days per week and there are further phases of the return process to come. Give it a couple of months and everyone will be back 5 days per week. There is talk of introducing a hybrid work policy (note that full remote isn't even on the table) based on DPER guidance etc. There is also talk of the right to request remote work legislation.

    Given that the legislation is useless and given that the ordering back to offices is well underway, WFH in the public service is going to be a token thing at best IMO. I could see staff who can WFH being grudgingly offered 1 day per week from home with the 20% target for remote work in the programme for government being used to justify this. Meanwhile, 100k+ public servants who can't WFH will obviously not be WFH. End result would be far less than 20% of public service work will be done remotely.

    Staff will go back to long commutes and trying to juggle responsibilities and the PS will continue, if not ramp up its bullsh*t virtue signalling about everything from climate action to staff mental health.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 949 ✭✭✭gauchesnell


    where is this happening out of interest

    I might be different as Im PS in a university but nothing like this has happened yet for any of us (academic or admin). Other universities have also introduced blended working policies aswell. Front facing services are back maybe one day or but noone is back in the office full time unless by choice.

    Even attended a union meeting recently and status quo still in place - until the longer term policy comes into force and yes that is happening. Definitely no full time remote working long term - the union for some reason are only requesting blended or hybrid working.

    I have friends in civil service and they have nothing concrete either.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7 martysparty




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