Members in Adelaide have been asked to forecast how they plan to accumulate and use flex time. CPSU members have told us they feel it’s almost impossible to forecast how they’ll use their flex time - down to the hour, three months in advance.
What’s the issue? Staff in Adelaide are beginning to see the following message included in their preference tool: “Please note your roster preferences must reflect the actual hours of work you intend to work including any flex time you intend to accrue.” The CPSU is aware this scheduling and preferencing issue has popped up in many sites and is being applied inconsistently around the country.
Loss of flexibility If staff are being asked to predict three months in advance when they may be able to accrue flex, they are effectively having their flexible working conditions removed.
What does the agreement say?
Although CSA can ask you to indicate a “preferred pattern of ordinary working hours”, this should not restrict your ability to accrue and use flex leave on a day-to-day basis, in agreement with your Team Leader.
A local issue goes national This issue is one with implications beyond the Adelaide site and is not new. Your representatives have written to Child Support management clearly seeking to ensure your rights are protected and are now in discussions. An update should be available by the end of this week.
Member benefits Your involvement and your membership matters. Please share this bulletin with of your workmates and make sure everyone knows about the flex time issue.
Extra reading
The following clauses of the CSA agreement are relevant – you may wish to read them for yourself. Part E, Flexible working arrangements
Hours of duty: Clauses 132, 135, 136 & 137.
Flexible working hours (FlexTime): Clauses 139 & 143.
Scheduling: Clause 150
