CPSU members in DESE have expressed serious disappointment with updated flexible work and working from home policies.
Instead, we want to see improvements to the department’s flexible work documents, in line with the
Working during the pandemic: The future of work is
hybrid
research project.
If you want to see better flexible work and WFH policies:
The more support we have for an improved policy the better
chance we have of making a difference. Demonstrated strong support through a petition will help us show staff want better flexible work policies at DESE.
The CPSU has secured a meeting with the Secretary to
discuss the research findings and to advocate on your
behalf for improvements to the documents.
Improvements we are seeking include:
-
An ‘if not, why not’ approach to WFH. This is the assumption that WFH can be approved unless there’s a compelling operational reason for working in the office.
-
A truly flexible WFH policy, instead of arbitrary caps
or limits on WFH on particular or consecutive days.
-
Lowering the delegation for approving requests to WFH:
- for less than two days per week this should be lower than SES Band 1
- for more than two days a week this should be lower than SES Band 2.
-
The policy should include key protections such as:
- recognition that WFH can be an effective control
measure against the spread of COVID-19 (particularly
for people with vulnerabilities or who are caring for
at risk groups), and
-
supervisors should not unreasonably expect employees to
be contactable when they are not working.
-
Support for employees WFH including virtual ergonomic
assessment and ensuring employees take regular breaks.
-
Approval timeframes to be shortened.
- To ensure ongoing openness and transparency, data on
approvals and disapprovals to be provided at
consultative committee meetings.
-
Recognition of employee rights to request flexibility
under the National Employment Standards, including
changes to location of work.
How can I help?
-
Sign
our
petition
today to tell Secretary Bruniges we want better flexible work and WFH policies at DESE.
- Share
this template email with colleagues and ask them to
sign too.
-
Print
this poster
to display at your desk and on notice boards.
If you are not already a member and support our work for an
improved policy, we invite you to
join the CPSU today.