Civil Service - Post Lockdown - Blended Working?

A lot of people when talking about the cost of travel to work only look at petrol/diesel but that's very far from the whole cost.

Many families could get rid of a car with WFH. That's a massive saving.

Sure, you can bring packed lunches and forgo all takeaway coffee etc. if working at the office, but most people will be spending money during the day they wouldn't be at home.

I've seen cost of broadband factored in, wtf? As if we are to believe that people in 2022 would not have broadband if not working at home...

A friend works there and I asked. Two days in now (still not into the definitive post Covid regime) although some are in more than that. Expectation is 3 days in when the policy comes out but some areas will expect full attendance when legislation/budget is happening.

Think they were saying it was really a saving of €1400 a year, but after the increases in heating/fuel/electricity etc that people working from home would still be up €300 a year......so essentially beating the cost of living increases. I presume they were talking about people remote working fulltime and not the majority of the civil service who got stuck with the term 'blended' and now look likely to only get a few days working from home, so these numbers won't apply.

I've a mate who works in IT there, says its 2 days in at the moment. The official policy is still being worked on.

My heo suggested a few weeks back that it could be 4 days in the office. Currently 2

Those who used work the 7 hours before tell me its easier building up flexi.

Right, lots of people asking "What's the story in X department?" and it's a couple of months on since I ran the survey. Time for another? Planned questions below. If there's anything else you'd like to see included, let me know.

Planned questions (don't answer these here, I'll be using Google Forms for the actual survey!)

• What department/body are you working in? (dropdown this time!)
• What is your organisation's current working regime for most staff (not counting public offices, facilities, ICT staff)? (dropdown: 5 days WFH, 1 day in office/4 WFH, 2 days in office/3 WFH, 3 days in office/2 WFH, 4 days in office/1 WFH, 5 days in office)
• What is your organisation's current working regime for staff in public offices/public counters, if applicable? (dropdown: Not applicable, 5 days WFH, 1 day in office/4 WFH, 2 days in office/3 WFH, 3 days in office/2 WFH, 4 days in office/1 WFH, 5 days in office)
• Has your employer surveyed staff since March 31 about their preferences for blended working? (yes/no)
• Has your employer published a Blended Working Policy since March 31, when DPER released it's framework? (yes/no)
• If so, when does it come into effect?
• And what will it allow? (dropdown: 5 days WFH, 1 day in office/4 WFH, 2 days in office/3 WFH, 3 days in office/2 WFH, 4 days in office/1 WFH, 5 days in office)
• Does it just allow for a "fixed" arrangement, or is there more flexibility available (e.g., you could work 3 days in office/2 WFH normally but then vary that, if necessary)?
• If they have not yet published a Policy, when have they indicated that one will be published?
• Did local union reps/partnership committee have any involvement in agreeing a policy? (Yes/No/Don't know/We have a union slash partnership committee?!)
• Prior to COVID, did you have flexi? (Yes/no)
• If you had flexi pre-COVID, what is your current situation with regard to flexi? (I am working in the office 5 days/week and have flexi again; I am working in the office 5 days/week but flexi is still suspended; I am on blended working and have flexi; I am on blended working and don't have flexi; Didn't have flexi pre-COVID)

You're right it was 6. 54.

10.3 flexi is nicer than what we have now

Correct. 6:57 for government departments. The increased minutes equated to roughly an extra 16 days worked.

I wasn't in the CS when it was the old time, but those that were say it was great and are looking forward to it reverting.

"I'd also be prepared to forgo being able to build up Flexi Leave for 3 days WFH in return."

I'd forgo flexi if i could work fully remote!

Sure the framework only states that staff shouldn't work remotely 100%, make your annual trip to the office and thats covered.

These are separate issues.

The reversion of the 2013 Haddington Road hours has been advised by an independent group.

The unions have triggered a pay review clause in the Building Momentum agreement due to the current economic situation.

WFH has been a tremendous success in most departments and has resulted in a great increase in work/life balance for the vast majority of staff involved.

I don't know what you think is nonsense. The three are separate issues and three different decisions to make.

Flexi leave is another issue. As has been published two systems of flexi are going to be trialed - you'll be able to work it up from just the office or from office/home.

Wrong. When it comes to the negotiating table the 3 will be, and should be directly used as bargaining chips.