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Flexitime returns following Fórsa pressure
by Bernard Harbor
 

Normal flexitime arrangements are to be reintroduced by 24th August for civil and public servants based in the workplace on pre-coronavirus working time and attendance patterns.


Normal flexitime arrangements are to be reintroduced by 24th August for civil and public servants based in the workplace on pre-coronavirus working time and attendance patterns. The return of flexitime, which is confirmed in new official guidance published yesterday (30th July), has been a priority for Fórsa in recent weeks.

 

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has also told the union that flexi can be reintroduced by employers earlier than 24th August if it is operationally feasible.

 

A blanket suspension of flexitime was introduced as an emergency measure in March as tens of thousands of public servants were hastily set up to work from home.

 

Flexitime arrangements remain suspended for those working from home and staff on new shift patterns introduced to support social distancing and other public health requirements. Staff in the latter category are generally being rostered for fewer hours than normal.

 

Any balances accrued by those still covered by the temporary suspension will continue to be held over until the resumption of normal working patterns.

 

The flexi suspension has been a growing issue of contention in many sectors, including local government where the union recently referred the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Council employers acknowledged the union’s concerns, but said they were subject to DPER guidlines.

 

But Fórsa had begun to win concessions at local level. Last week we reported that Garda staff on pre-Covid work arrangements would see flexitime reintroduced from this week.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

Pay talks set for September
by Bernard Harbor
 

Public service unions and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are to engage in early September to explore the potential for a successor to the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA), which expires at the end of this year.


Public service unions and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are to engage in early September to explore the potential for a successor to the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA), which expires at the end of this year.

 

In a meeting with Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan and other union leaders earlier this week, new Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath also confirmed that the new Government would meet its commitment to pay the final PSSA instalment – worth 2% of gross pay – on 1st October.

 

Despite some media speculation, this had been expected because the commitment was included in the recently-agreed programme for government.

 

The programme also confirmed that the Government wants a successor to the PSSA, which sets pay and working conditions for staff across the civil and public service including voluntary hospitals and other ‘section 38’ bodies. Public service pay agreements are also applied in non-commercial State agencies.

 

Prior to February’s general election, Fórsa had been advocating for earlier negotiations. But protracted talks on Government formation – plus the coronavirus crisis – made this impossible.

 

Unions expect the negotiations to be extremely difficult because of the economic and fiscal damage wrought by the pandemic.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

 

Home working: New protections needed
by Mehak Dugal
 

Trade unions have this week called on the Government to review employment laws to make sure they protect those working at home in the post-pandemic world of work.


Trade unions have this week called on the Government to review employment laws to make sure they protect those working at home in the post-pandemic world of work. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) said the State’s current approach was inadequate, and that legal protections for employees need to keep pace with changes in ways of working.

 

Responding to a public consultation on remote working, which is currently being run by the Department of Business, ICTU’s social policy officer Laura Bambrick said a “more ambitious” plan was needed.

 

A slew of recent surveys has shown a strong appetite among workers for maintaining remote working options post-Covid. Fórsa is set to reveal the results of its membership survey next week.

 

Employers appear to be on the same page. A recent study for the Institute of Directors found that only 12% of business leaders expect all their staff to return to work premises once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. Almost a third said they were considering downsizing office space, while 40% predicted an equal mix of staff working in the office and remotely.

 

The new focus on remote working – and the pandemic experience – have exposed some weaknesses in worker protections. ICTU says this includes the lack of a legal right to work flexibly, as all such arrangements are legally at the discretion of employers.

 

ICTU wants a change in the law to give every worker the legal right to request flexible working and to oblige employers to give such requests serious consideration.

 

Publishing its guide to remote workers’ employment rights this week, ICTU also said remote workers should not have to “carry the cost of doing business,” in the form of higher household bills or the digital hub desk charges.

 

The federation has called for payment of a daily tax-free allowance for home workers to be made mandatory – a move that some fear would act as a disincentive to expanded remote working after the pandemic.

 

Read Fórsa’s guide to remote working HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

So much rests on schools reopening
by Mehak Dugal
 

Fórsa has said a €375 million financial package, announced by the Government this week, could boost confidence that schools can be reopened safely at the end of August.


Fórsa has said a €375 million financial package, announced by the Government this week, could boost confidence that schools can be reopened safely at the end of August. But the union added that more needed to be done to ensure the safe resumption of education in special schools and settings.

 

The package reflects a Government determination that schools will reopen for the new school year – a move that’s seen as essential to economic recovery and the educational needs of students.

 

It includes extra funding for additional special needs assistants (SNAs) and other staff, personal protective equipment (PPE), and enhanced cleaning regimes. There are also resources for guidance counsellors and psychologists.

 

In a meeting with special education minister Jacinta Madigan last Wednesday (29th July), Fórsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said workers wanted to play their part to ensure that schools open safely. But he said the union had concerns about maintaining the safety of children and SNAs working in both mainstream and special settings.

 

“Social distancing will not be possible for many SNAs, so the introduction of PPE and other safety measures will be necessary. The published guidance is a first step, but it lacks the necessary clarity on some health and safety measures including basic advice for SNAs on infection control and use of PPE.” he said.

 

Most observers believe a successful resumption of schooling is an essential ingredient in reopening the economy because parents are unable to work normally if they also have to mind children.

 

Since schools and crèches were closed on 13th March, most parents have been juggling work with childcare. During the lockdown, informal supports from grandparents and other family members were also curtailed.

 

There are also fears that, even if schools reopen fully, many crèches and other pre-school facilities will remain shut. While two-thirds of childcare providers applied for State support to reopen their doors, only a quarter – roughly 1,200 out of 4,500 – have so far reopened.

 

Parents may come under more pressure as social distancing rules reduce capacity and increase childcare costs.

 

Read Fórsa’s statement HERE.  

 

Get detailed of the schools’ reopening package HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

Working parents face problems
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa has warned that proposed changes to working arrangements for civil and public servants with caring responsibilities could lead to serious difficulties on the ground at the end of next month.


Fórsa has warned that proposed changes to working arrangements for civil and public servants with caring responsibilities could lead to serious difficulties on the ground at the end of next month.

 

New guidance to public service employers, from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), suggests that flexibilities for working parents whose childcare provision disappeared during the coronavirus crisis could be withdrawn from 24th August.

 

This is based on an expectation that schools will re-open at the end of August – which is likely to happen – and that creches and childcare facilities will also be operating again.

 

But Fórsa has told DPER that many – if not most – crèches and pre-school facilities may remain shut. The sector’s representative body says that, while two-thirds of childcare providers applied for State support to reopen their doors, only a quarter have so far reopened.

 

Some 3,300 out of around 4,500 facilities remain closed, and it is not known how many of these will be open at the end of August.

 

Until now, the DPER has advised employers to facilitate home working for working parents whose childcare arrangements have fallen through on foot of school and crèche closures introduced by the Government in mid-March.

 

The department has also been advising employers to consider offering flexible working arrangements – including home working – to staff with other caring responsibilities on a case-by-case basis.

 

But this advice looks set to expire on 24th August.

 

A union spokesperson said that Fórsa would be monitoring the situation closely, and stood ready to represent members who find themselves in difficulties.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

 

Today’s webinar explores future of work
by Róisín McKane
 

The final session in Fórsa’s summer series of webinars on campaigning issues takes place at 1pm today (Friday 31st July), when a panel of experts discuss the future of work.

 


The final session in Fórsa’s summer series of webinars on campaigning issues takes place at 1pm today (Friday 31st July), when a panel of experts discuss the future of work.

 

The lunchtime webinar will hear from Andrew Barnes, the founder of New Zealand business Perpetual Guardian, which pioneered the introduction a four-day week last year. The company employs over 250 people.

 

He’ll be joined by Antonia Bance of the UK’S Trade Union Congress, Orla O’Connor of the National Women’s Council, and Fórsa official Joe O’Connor. Joe chairs the Four Day Week Ireland campaign, which is made up of unions, employers, environmental groups and NGOs.

 

You can join the webinar HERE at 1pm. 

 

Our experts will explore the impact of Covid-19 on perceptions of the future of work, and discuss how can we shape a new and better world of work.

 

Designed to equip the union’s senior activists with the skills and tools to lead local campaigns, the summer series offers opportunities to discuss and debate on some of the pressing issues of interest to Fórsa activists across a range of economic, social, equality and environmental topics.

  

Be sure to follow the event on Twitter using the hashtag #FórsaSummerSeries.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

Feature Article
Taking a summer breather
 

We’ve issued over 40 Fórsa ebulletins this year but, as always, we’re letting you off for the month of August. We’ll be back with all the news in September. In the meantime, you can keep up with important developments on the union's website, or contact us here if you need advice or support at work. Thanks so much for pushing our readership figures to record heights in 2020. We hope you get a well-deserved break over the summer, and we look forward to returning with all the news on 4th September.


Also in this issue
Update your contact details
 

You can help us keep you up-to-date with union information, news and advice by checking your contact details and amending them if necessary. If we have your home and personal contact details (personal email, mobile phone number, and home address) we can get information to you quickly and directly. You can update your contact details HERE.

Final call for wellness webinars
by Róisín McKane
 

During the month of July, Fórsa brought you a series of wellness webinars aimed at helping members navigate their way through the uncertainty of Covid-19. If you missed the live sessions, you can still catch the podcasts for a limited period by signing up HERE.

 

The series was brought to you in association with Cornmarket, and featured experts on a range of topics including parenting, managing anxiety, money matters, and motivation at work and home. Cornmarket administer two of the union’s salary protection schemes

 

The series was informed by an earlier survey, which found that 80% of Fórsa members experienced anxiety during the Covid-19 crisis. Half of the respondents said mental health and lack of motivation were their top concerns, with a huge proportion having trouble sleeping.

 

Sign up to the wellness podcasts HERE.

 

For more information on the services offered by Cornmarket click HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Returning to work after cancer
 

The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) wants to hear from cancer patients and survivors about the barriers they’ve faced when returning to work after a cancer diagnosis.

 

The society is inviting workers who’ve been diagnosed with cancer in the last ten years to take part in a short survey, which takes about 15 minutes to complete. They are particularly keen to hear from men, who are under-represented in the survey so far. You can participate HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Union guidance on remote working
 

Fórsa has published new advice for workers who will be working remotely in the medium or long-term.

 

The guidance was produced as the Government’s recently-announced ‘roadmap for reopening society and business’, made it clear that many public servants and others will continue to work from home for some time.

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the working circumstances of almost half of Ireland’s workers, with more than a third now working from home. This extended period of remote working is a new experience for most.

 

While some have now established a productive and rewarding remote working routine, it can be a struggle at times.

 

Working at home: Staying safe, connected, healthy and productive contains advice on health and safety, setting up a workspace, breaks, staying in touch with managers and colleagues, and balancing work with home life and childcare.

 

The guide also contains useful tips on data protection, cybersecurity, and safeguarding your mental health.


Róisín McKane of Fórsa’s Communications Unit drafted the guidance. “Many union members could be working remotely for longer than they ever expected. This information will help them to navigate home working for an extended period.

 

“You may be out of the workplace, but you can still rely on certain legal protections, and you should look to your employer for the supports you need to do your job safely and well,” she said.

 

Read the Fórsa guidance HERE. 

 

If you have questions or concerns about your own situation, you can contact Fórsa HERE

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Join Fórsa online
 

Workers who wish to join Fórsa can to do so using a new ‘join online’ function on the union’s website.

 

Going live with the new system follows several months of research, preparation and testing aimed at making it easier than ever to join the union. It also goes live as the union continues to process a large number of new membership applications, as interest in joining the union has surged since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Fórsa’s general secretary Kevin Callinan commented: “The current crisis has created the necessity to be able to carry out our business in different ways. Work on this project had commenced before the Covid-19 crisis took hold, and its completion marks a vital step as we tackle the challenges of living in changed times.

 

“We can see that more people want to join a union in response to what’s happening in the wider economy. It’s vital that they can take those initial steps quickly and easily, and making the membership application process more accessible is part of that process.

 

“This is a crucial new venture to enable Fórsa to substantially increase our membership - and to strengthen the union’s hand - at a critical time in the union’s development,” he said.

 

The online facility is a streamlined and simplified membership application process, and will be the quickest and easiest way to join the union. All incoming applications will continue to be subject to check-off and approval by Fórsa branches and the national executive committee, while the new online system is designed to ease the administrative burden on branches.

 

You can join Fórsa online at https://join.forsa.ie/

 

Fórsa: Here to support you
 

Fórsa is here to protect you if you have problems arising from the coronavirus or other workplace issues. The best way to contact the union at this time is HERE.

 

We will deal with queries as quickly as we can but, needless to say, the union will prioritise cases where members’ jobs and incomes are at immediate risk – as well as any serious health and safety issues that may arise.

 

Fórsa has cancelled all face-to-face meetings for the time being. The union is redeploying its staff to prioritise engagement with management on proposals arising from the Covid-19 public health crisis, and to provide rapid and efficient responses to members’ queries and concerns.

 

Fórsa's main phone line (01 817 1500) is now open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively members can use the Contact Us page on the Fórsa website to submit queries directly to the relevant division within Fórsa and this remains the most efficient way to access advice directly.

 

Wherever possible, Fórsa staff have been equipped to work remotely. Therefore, members should not attend Fórsa offices at this time. If you have a query or concern, the best way to raise it is to contact the union HERE.