Civil Service - Post Lockdown - Blended Working?

WFO days have a purpose..?

Can anyone tell me what the blended policy is in the Department of Education? Here or a PM would be greatly appreciated.

No, we were asked to set the 2 days we are due in the office and stick to these as much as possible, I go in Mondays and Fridays - everybody picked what days suits them best so no day that we are all there and nearly every Friday I'm on my own.

just checked and on my blended working guidelines it says that my WFO has to be in the office I’m contracted to. I can avail of a hub or different office on days that are not my anchor days but they are classed as WFH days as you’re not in the office you’re contracted to and your HEO & team wouldn’t be there. Now we do have anchor days so my whole team is in the same day so it may vary sept to sept. But as someone above said, ask, you’ve nothing to loose.

Per the survey I ran in October (a few pages back now!), Education hadn't published it's blended working policy by then (that, and subsequent answers, may have changed since). A policy was due to be published but was late. There was no concrete info then, but one of 5 respondents was expecting that 3 days WFH/2 WFO would be offered. The union were involved in negotiating the policy so you may be able to get more info from Fórsa.

?? It's been bloody cold, sure, but dry. Roads are being gritted. Buses and trains are running. Why wouldn't people go in to the office if they're rostered to be in? If people can make it in to the shops, pubs and restaurants, and sports, then a few hours in a nice heated office should be fine.

Where are these heated offices you talk of? Been practically riding the radiator for any source of heat this week! Lol

but agree the weather hasn’t nearly been bad enough for people to be told stay at home although I know some have but it’s been regional offices where people may have a longer commute on untreated roads

Jesus we are getting (depending on the area) 2,3 or 4 days working from home instead or what could have been 5 days in an office. Be glad what we are given so far as if you push too much they may go f that and take it off us

Yes, but that was pre covid - the world changes.

It's not the same as being "rotad in" like a conventional roster, if the work gets done regardless of where. The office attendance is largely symbolic presenteeism from what I can see. Sure, there is a value to the social side, but that's off set by the loss of productivity, moral, energy, etc after an early morning, long, difficult, commute and knowing that you have to do the same again to get home. Surely its common sense to priorities health well being and productivity during the colder Flu/Covid season months.

Also if we're being asked now, not to mix if we have cold or flu like symptoms (very subjective) by the CMO. Then why not minimise discretionary, compulsory office attendance altogether for those who don't want/need to? Rather than radio silence, encouraging people onto buses, train and possibly driving Christmas viral infections. Id rather catch something mixing with family or friends than some randomer on the bus and being laid up for the Christmas.

Policy like this increases overall productivity over these months. I've seen flu spread this year already in my own office by people coming in with symptoms who in their own opinion had recovered. This lead to other team members being off sick and the team only suffered overall as a result. Obviously I can't say for sure it spread just from the office. But there's a pretty good chance in my opinion .

Is the 2 days in the office actually being enforced? I go in the odd time. Maybe 1 day every two weeks. A lot of my work is done at remote sites. Possibly 3 days a month involve going to cork or linerick from dublin.

Im not enforcing it with my staff anyway. I think its going to be left to local managers to manage.

Colder than normal weather, lower immunity is my understanding, people inclined to be indoors together more too. Flu season is during the coldest months of the year too. All linked.

Why have compulsory office attendance during a difficult flu season (According to the CMO) and a cold snap that will impede their immune system and ultimately harm business output, is the point?

Talking about in general people are more inclined to be in the doors together as opposed to the summer. This adds to opportunity for flu and covid to spread. Not specific to the office.

Disagree so much with you. If we have weather alerts and health concerns in the population like a bad flu. Let people use their laptop where ever they like.

Hello,

does anyone know whether it is better to be assigned to Department of Finance or Department of Public Expenditure and Reform?