Fórsa, representing civilian teachers in the Garda Síochána training college in Templemore, has won an adjudication hearing on the issue of flexitime.

College management had intended to introduce a new time recording system but sought to withhold the introduction of flexible working hours for the grades concerned on a permanent basis, arguing that they would introduce the system without flexitime, and review its efficacy before making any decision.

Fórsa official Paul Moyer argued that there was a flawed logic in seeking to review the operation of Flexi time without first allowing Flexi time to be introduced.

“How can you assess whether the new system is compatible with flexi unless you first roll out flexi? We didn’t understand the logic behind it. We have no issue with the operation of Flexi being reviewed, but it needs to be reviewing something real,” said Paul.

On foot of Fórsa intervention and evidence provided the civil service adjudicator ruled that that had the teachers concerned been admitted to the time recording system at the same time as other civilian staff they would have done so on similar terms and conditions of admission that prevailed for these other staff at that time.

“We were pleased with the result which allows our members to benefit from flexi time and allows management to have an appropriate review of its operation,” said Paul.