Civil Service - Post Lockdown - Blended Working?

Yes, you're 100% right there. They generally have Flexi hours but no Flexi leave.

Did they give you a point of contact in local HR? They usually do, you could try calling them enquiring about your contract and start date if they have. If not you could just call main office number and ask to to be put through, that’s what I did in a previous competition. HRwhether local or other wise always tend to be slow

Do you mean like a remote work hub? Haven’t heard of anything ad hoc like that to be honest

Unless some of your team is based down in Cork in one of those offices I can’t see how or why they would accommodate that as it doesn't fulfil any of the purposes of wfo -days - you might as well be working from home

Well that’s different I do one day a month in a regional office as some of my direct reports are there and it counts as an office day

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.

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 .

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?

How wud you rate them for promotions in a few years? Is it better to say I worked in DPER or D Finance? Because DPER was born out of D Finance I always view it as lesser than D Finance…

Some departments have competitions internally more than others though yeah?