Passport office reviews work patterns
by Róisín McKane
 
The head of Fórsa’s Civil Service Division, Derek Mullen, has warned the department that the new proposals may not win support from staff.
The head of Fórsa’s Civil Service Division, Derek Mullen, has warned the department that the new proposals may not win support from staff.

A survey is underway in the Passport Office to identify what attendance patterns staff prefer in future.

 

Undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the review comes on foot of expectations that shift work will have to continue to facilitate workplace social distancing.

 

The proposed arrangements include a 7.00am start time, which union representative fear would create problems for staff with childcare or other caring responsibilities.

 

The head of Fórsa’s Civil Service Division, Derek Mullen, has warned the department that the new proposals may not win support from staff. At a recent meeting, he said management should reach an agreement with the union, regardless of what the survey reveals.

 

“Any arrangement would need to be time-bound and reviewed when schools begin to reopen. A 7.00am start is not compatible with school timetables and crèches aren’t open at this time. Management needs to take this into account,” he said.

 

Derek was critical of local management in the office, saying they had approached staff an “intemperate and hectoring fashion.”

 

“Members who opposed changed work patterns were threatened with transfers or even being put off the payroll. This approach is wholly unacceptable and counterproductive as we try and reach an agreement on the matter,” he said.

 

Derek stressed the need for flexibility for those who cannot work outside their normal hours. “Any arrangements will have to cater for the more difficult cases where members find it impossible to attend outside of what have become normal working patterns,” he said.

 

Negotiations are ongoing.

 

 

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