CSA - Flex time and hours of duty

Request for phone preferences 8 to 10 weeks in advance

CSA can request your preferences in advance. This enables CSA to provide you notice of the phone schedules four weeks before they take effect, as required in your collective agreement. Your preferences should be YOUR preferences.

Access to leave and flex time

While staff are asked to anticipate their leave requirements for the upcoming schedule period, there is no time limit for staff submitting leave applications. Staff are able to request access to their leave entitlements at any time. If you do not agree with a leave approval decision you have appeal rights. Contact your local CPSU delegate or the CPSU Member Service Centre on 1300 137 636.

Hours of duty

An employee’s hours of duty must be undertaken within the regular bandwidth of 7am-7pm Monday to Friday. Subject to operational requirements CSA and an employee will agree on an ordinary pattern of hours within the bandwidth. If you and your manager cannot agree on a pattern of hours then standard hours (8.30-4.54) apply. If there are not enough staff to schedule on for a phone shift, CSA will need to consider offering staff paid overtime or employ more staff to meet their service delivery requirements.

Overtime versus flex

Whilst overtime is normally voluntary, where operational requirements make it necessary the Secretary can direct CSO1 and CSO6 to work overtime on any day. You must be given reasonable notice and managers must take into account the personal circumstances of employees. However, it’s up to you whether you choose overtime or flex.

If you consistently work overtime and you decide to choose flex time, will CSA keep asking you to work overtime at no extra cost to them? And will you get an opportunity to use it? Or if you choose to be paid overtime (plus meal allowance), CSA might consider the costs incurred and better resource staffing numbers?

Access to sufficient time for follow up work

Under your collective agreement, management is bound to provide “sufficient time for staff to action follow up activities resulting from incoming and outbound client contact”. Any instances where you are unable to complete follow up work should be raised with your team leader as soon as possible and documented in writing for your own records.

Consultation

CSA is required, under your agreement, to consult with staff on issues that affect them. CSA must provide relevant information to employees who are affected and provide them with an opportunity to have their feedback and suggestions heard before a decision is made.

It pays to belong

CSA staff who are not yet members need to join now. CPSU works to protect and improve members’ rights and entitlements as well as ensuring you have advice and support when you need it. To join the CPSU, see your workplace delegate for an application form today, or join securely online.