The Government has issued new guidance on civil and public service working arrangements on foot of this morning’s announcement of radical measures to deal with the Covid-19 public health crisis.
The guidance says staff redeployment across the civil and public services could be required to ensure the maintenance of essential services, which is prioritised in the new advice.
It also calls for the reassignment of staff within organisations to prioritise the most critical services. And it says employers should consider extending and staggering opening hours, as well as the introduction of flexible working.
It adds that social distancing measures should be put in place even in the delivery of essential services.
Caring responsibilities
The guidance calls for managers and staff to be flexible in circumstances where staff have to mind children on foot of school or crèche closures. In this regard, it recommends measures like home working, flexible shifts, or longer opening hours.
It advises staff who experience coronavirus-related childcare difficulties to stay in regular contact with their managers.
“Employees should work from home where possible. Employers need to implement alternative working arrangements to support employees to attend work. For example, this could include flexible shifts and longer opening hours, to support the provision of services while supporting social distancing measures,” it says.
Further DPER advice is expected on managing caring responsibilities during the crisis.
The circular repeats the existing provision that staff who are self-isolating on medical or HSE advice will receive ‘special leave.’ This means they will continue to be paid basic pay, including any fixed allowances they normally get.
Self isolation
The circular says it’s crucial that employees follow HSE guidance on self-isolation, and says new notification guidelines for civil and public servants will issue from DPER shortly.
The circular says it’s crucial that employees follow HSE guidance on self-isolation, and says new notification guidelines for civil and public servants will issue from DPER shortly.
“Employees who have symptoms should self-isolate in accordance with HSE guidelines. Special leave with pay will apply in this scenario,” it says.
The circular goes on to say that staff who don’t have to self-isolate or deal with essential and unexpected caring responsibilities should attend work “in line with their organisation’s business continuity measures.”
But it calls on employers to take steps to support social distancing, which could also include remote working, staggered shifts and flexible working hours.
Standing ready
Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan called on DPER and other State departments to maintain discussions with the union and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
“Civil and public servants stand ready to play their part in maintaining essential services and supporting public health objectives during this unprecedented crisis. But their unions must be involved in the development of policy and guidance to ensure that this is fully successful,” he said.
Kevin said he had been in touch with top officials in recent weeks in his capacity as Fórsa general secretary and chair of the ICTU Public Services Committee.
Read the DPER guidance HERE.