Civil Service - Post Lockdown - Blended Working?

Didn't know you were talking about a build up of hour working from home. We've never been allowed to work up hours when working from home, any extra time you put in wasn't given back.

thought that was the arrangement. WFH you can't build up time.

That’s true. I did think there’s probably lots who live in Newry for example but work in Dublin or Dundalk and who are probably doing some form of blended work now.

I took the policy as that as well, did they get permission from their managers first though?

Depends where you're working. Some employers, yes, you can build up flexi when WFH.

A timely plug: new survey on current Blended Working policies across the civil service/local government is available here and open until the end of the weekend  https://forms.gle/55tQJ3FcP68Zn2KA7

The ones I've seen the error message says its geo blocked.

Another reason they are pushing for anchor days in the office.

Honestly no idea, it’s a complete waste of time coming into the office as I can do all of my work from home, one day a week would have been enough to be honest.

I assume your meant to know and have agreed to the IT policies of your organisation before using them. That's normally how its done. We required permission countersigned by a manager. But as others commented everywhere has different rules.

Absolutely raging this evening.

Our department had put out the policy last month, standard would be max 3 days wfh, 2 in office. Subject to business needs, continuity of service etc.

I had got a few applications from people reporting to me to do 3 days wfh, thought all was rosey but my own head of section was being evasive when I'd ask her should I just approve and she'd say she still had to read up on the policy etc. Ok grand.

Anyway we had a vc briefing on blended working this afternoon. They have dreamt up a policy for our function, which is mostly office based with some site work, and has been performing fine since covid hit with some people working fully from home and others from office as they preferred.

Some grades are only being permitted 1 day wfh, others 2 days wfh, while others in our department and building will be able to avail of 3 days wfh.

Honestly I'm livid about it, mostly about the lack of consultation and the attitude from coming from above on this. oh by the way, applications need to be in by end of next week or there's no wfh.

I dont care a whole lot for myself because I can duck and dive with the best of them but the grades they've decided are 1 day wfh are the more junior or lower paid. There is just no justification for treating us differently other than begrudgery and meanness.

Seriously considering packing it in, totally demotivated and the work is pure crap to begin with. The PS is such a poxy place to work sometimes, 15 years in at this stage.

Finishing a hdip at the end of the year that I've had to do on the sly and intending on a career change, at this rate it'll be 6 months sick leave before I give them the two fingers as I walk out the door.

Would love a career break for a few years but am full sure it would he denied based on 'business need'.

I let rip at the PO at the end of the VC lol and I plan on giving my manager an earful the next time I can corner her. I am seriously beyond the point of no return at the stage.

Anyway just wanted a rant haha!!

Customers?

We're clearly only talking about staff here.

WTF has role got to do with it? Do COs not handle a great deal of confidential information?

There's always been a carry forward limit: 10:30, 11:00, 11:30

What the other poster appeared to be referring to was having hours built up WFH wiped off even below that limit.

Seems to me some departments are setting blended working up to fail.

Since early summer we've been clocking at home as well as in the office (before that, WFH days were just credited as a full day regardless of hours, and most people were working more and not getting any credit for it) so now flexi time and flexi leave can be accumulated just the same whether in the office or at home. WFH policy is 2 days a week in as standard.