Civil Service - Post Lockdown - Blended Working?

I know that their main office in Trim is doing 3 WFH and 2 WFO since returning to the office but the official policy isn't in there yet.

When I did a survey on blended working policies (which I think was back in early June?), I only had one response identifying themselves as working in the OPW and as adelcrowsmel says, the person who responded said it was 2 days in the office, 3 WFH. That might vary depending on the nature of the work, though - an engineer, architect or surveyor might well have stints where they need to visit offices/buildings (even if not "their" office) more frequently? But for admin staff, it still seems to be 3WFH/2 office. I'd give their HR a call to check, though.

Anyone know the blended working policy for the courts service?

Lots of sections of Depts don't have blended working because it's not operationally feasible.

I'd imagine that is applicable to a lot of the courts service.

Some ICT roles are among the best around for remote working, others (deskside support, etc) are the worst.

It’s a holdover from a bygone age. The vast majority of places have flexi time so it’s not an issue. Others have local arrangements (ie the boss/bosses are ok as long as the work is done)

But they can enforce the official hours if they want

I'd say they're probably limited in the amount of WFM they can offer, but I don't think it's actually true that they can't offer it at all because it's not operationally feasible.

As far as I understand some of the Courts don't sit on Fridays for example, they might work a late Thursday and then Friday could be a lot more flexible.

I think employers are going to have to look at how they can facilitate WFM home in the future if they want to hire and retain staff. That might prompt some changes in how certain bodies operate.

Therefore it's possible to allow staff to do some of that work remotely, or doing it on a rota basis.

But you're right that citizen facing roles are that bit more tricky to facilitate.

Can confirm there has not yet been a WFH policy for OPW. Still 3 days from home and 2 in the office without any flexi. The chairman has always come across as a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to WFH and has always seemed against it which has concerned staff. Some frustration that the flexi option hasn't been introduced too as it's holiday season. No guidance as to what the delay is but the fear is that the policy is for more than the current 2 days in office which would be inappropriate to introduce during high Covid numbers.

There have been plenty of policies published favoring WFH already.

You might be correct regarding covid not being to blame for the delay with the policy. I dont think there has been any communication so who knows.

I saw somewhere here on this thread that someone who works for Revenue said their policy will allow them to request 1 day office attendance minimum per month, NSSO someone said 20% WFO, so 1 day a week in the office and Dept of Social Protection will allow 4 days office attendance minimum per month. All these will be role specific of course but at least they are allowing staff to ask.

Hi All.

Just wondering have all Departments who will be trialing the new Flexi leave accrual been notified? And if so when is it commencing?

I think someone mentioned previously Revenue were going ro be one of the departments.

Are there many others?

Saw the Forsa bulletin in my emails this morning (Not around long enough to be allowed to post the link) and I have to say I'm increasingly disillusioned with the state of affairs regarding blended working. I'm currently a clerical officer in a Garda station but since March this year we all have been back in the office full time and there's a good few of us waiting for this policy to be implemented. Without getting ranty, we are told nothing or updated on anything and now this latest news is yet anther morale blow. I understand some people love working in the office 5 days a week etc but I came to love the better work life balance working from home and indeed found myself being far more productive.

I've been a long time lurker of this thread but haven't seen much in the way of other people working for the Justice Department and i'm unsure as to whether it's the same policy throughout the country or depending on management as regards working from home so any input would be appreciated as my colleagues and I are completely in the dark.

Yes that's the one thank you, I really don't know I'd be surprised to even hear that a document specific to our department is being worked on apologies for moaning like but getting copy and paste vague answers from Forsa along with management refusing point blank any sort of engagement on the matter plus we will possibly be losing our civil service status over the coming months is a bit hard to take and makes me personally feel and assume that we will all be thrown under the bus and told tough back to your desks and that'll be the end of it. But sure can always hope there is some sort of correspondence out before the end of September with a bit of luck. Thanks anyway for your response its helpful hearing others outside the organisations thoughts.

I used to work for AGS and worked in the office five days a week, no option for blended working. I have recently moved to another department and really dreaded the thought of it. I loved work in a Garda Station. It's only when I left (TCO to CO) and started working in an office where there is blended working and that there is so much communication between staff and management. In AGS we were always the last to know, if we were told anything at all. While I did make great friends in AGS and swore I would try to get back, the option for blended working will keep me where I am for now.