Flexibiltiy Question

[Tired and Weary]

At our mail centre there are apparently talks between management and the union about enforcing the flexibility agreement which had stopped being used as it was unworkable. Our shift manager had let it slide because if 20 people worked 15-20 mins over their time, then all those people would be missing for that amount of time on other days while they got their time back, which left him short staffed. Now it may be brought back as we are having trouble clearing the mail as the shift manager sometimes only starts traying off the mail 5-10 minutes from the end of the shift.

A few questions. Flexibilty is only to be used in exceptional circumstances such as the mail arriving at our mail centre late, not because the manager gets us to sort and not tray off until our shift is nearly over? I believe this to be correct? Also, it is meant to be voluntary and not enforced? Our managers are saying that you can refuse to be flexible twice but must do it on the third occasion regardless of personal circumstances or get a warning. I have read the documents regarding flexibility and I do not see this apparent rule in any of them. Are our managers right or wrong?

[hubbahubba]

At our mail centre there are apparently talks between management and the union about enforcing the flexibility agreement which had stopped being used as it was unworkable. Our shift manager had let it slide because if 20 people worked 15-20 mins over their time, then all those people would be missing for that amount of time on other days while they got their time back, which left him short staffed. Now it may be brought back as we are having trouble clearing the mail as the shift manager sometimes only starts traying off the mail 5-10 minutes from the end of the shift.

A few questions. Flexibilty is only to be used in exceptional circumstances such as the mail arriving at our mail centre late, not because the manager gets us to sort and not tray off until our shift is nearly over? I believe this to be correct? Also, it is meant to be voluntary and not enforced? Our managers are saying that you can refuse to be flexible twice but must do it on the third occasion regardless of personal circumstances or get a warning. I have read the documents regarding flexibility and I do not see this apparent rule in any of them. Are our managers right or wrong?

he's trying it on.Where's your union rep/s?What they got to say??

[fishtank]

A few questions. Flexibilty is only to be used in exceptional circumstances such as the mail arriving at our mail centre late, not because the manager gets us to sort and not tray off until our shift is nearly over?

Correct...flexibility is not to be used to prop up his failing workplan.

Also, it is meant to be voluntary and not enforced? Our managers are saying that you can refuse to be flexible twice but must do it on the third occasion regardless of personal circumstances or get a warning.

Yes it's voluntary...no it doesn't matter how many times you refuse..if you can do it and want to do it then do it but make sure you get the time back when it suits you not him...if not don't.....and yes.... he really is a tool.

[POSTMAN]

Funny as f**k,tossers.

[Tired and Weary]

he's trying it on.Where's your union rep/s?What they got to say??

Pretty much non existent in our mail centre, especially on my shift.

I was pretty sure they can't force us to do flexibility, but the rules seem to be vague enough that they can try manipulating them to make us think we have to do it. I have downloaded the flexibility documnets from this website and will print a copy to bring to work with me.

[Tired and Weary]

Just one other thing I want to check. Any flexibility time that someone performs must be paid back in the same week and not carried over. This is something I haven't seen written down anywhere. Is there a document with this info in it?

[fishtank]

Just one other thing I want to check. Any flexibility time that someone performs must be paid back in the same week and not carried over. This is something I haven't seen written down anywhere. Is there a document with this info in it?

• Variation of hours – Where necessary, for example when traffic volumes are unexpectedly high or resourcing issues arise, individuals may be asked and may themselves request to vary their duty times by up to 30 minutes on a swings and roundabouts basis. Again, individual circumstances will be taken into account and total weekly contractual hours would not change.

As it isn't paid as overtime if it wasn't paid back the same week your contracted hours would have changed.

[Tired and Weary]

Thanks for that fishtank.