We are still on lockdown. It feels
like nothing is changing but at the same time quite a lot is changing. To more
fully keep up to date please view the PCS website, the branch blog and the
branch Facebook page.
Here is the latest news. Sorry for
the long one. There is a lot to say.
Coronavirus
We have negotiated special policies
for coronavirus. Guidance is here. This is the management
site and should be cross referenced with PCS guidance.
PCS
continues to negotiate on behalf of members both locally and nationally.
As
key workers there is a challenging amount of work with an aspiration of a high
rate of claims clearance. Hopefully managers are coming out to staff to ask
what help support and processes need to be in place to help to make this
happen.
We
are aware that the initial peak of coronavirus and therefore the initial peak
of claims may have passed. The justification for overtime may therefore also be
reduced. PCS is in negotiation with management to ensure that staff are
deployed to roles that are most useful in helping claimants through the crisis.
We are also trying to ensure that staff receive the full training and support
needed to carry out any new tasks that they are asked to do. It is a reasonable
request to do the work of the grade below. It is not a reasonable request to do
the work of the grade above unless you are paid at the rate for that grade.
Workers
Memorial Day
The
28 April is Workers Memorial day. It is a day to remember all people who have
died at work. Leicester & District Trades Union Council (L&DTUC)
commemorate every year by holding a ceremony by the memorial tree in Town Hall
Square (it’s in the top corner near the town hall and Bishop Street).
This
year we cannot hold the ceremony. This year we also commemorate key workers who
came to work without adequate PPE and lost their lives to coronavirus. This
year, more than any others, reminds us that health and safety really does
matter.
The
TUC are calling for a minutes silence on the day at 11:00 to remember them. More
details are here.
Overtime
PCS
has successfully got management to extend the period when increased overtime
rates can be paid to 31 May 2020. If you are offered overtime and choose to
accept it please be aware that part-time staff now get paid time over their
normal hours at overtime rates (there are some exceptions; please check the
guidance) and you may be able to claim travel time for overtime on non-working
days. Please also be aware that ALL members MUST take at least one day off in
every seven days for their own wellbeing.
Homeworking
Equipment
has been purchased and is being given out to staff to work from home. This will
enable staff who are on special leave to work and to help to stop our offices
becoming overcrowded when full lockdown end but we still need to observe social
distancing.
It
is a reasonable request to ask you to work from home. It is not reasonable to
ignore reasonable adjustments and specialist equipment and applications that
you may need. You will need the physical space to site the equipment and either
wifi at home or be supplied with a 4G dongle.
Make
sure that you have the conversation with you manager. If they refuse to make
reasonable adjustments please contact PCS using the shared mailbox. If you are
a manager please ensure that you familiarise yourself with the guidance on
reasonable adjustments before you make the calls.
If
you work from home then you fall into the category of staff who are working
rather than staff on special leave and the relevant HR policies about leave,
etc. will change for you.
Please
note that home workers will be able to claim expenses to cover costs. The
general amount is claimable after you have been working from home for a month
or more. It increased from £4 a week to £6 a week from the new tax year. You
may be able to claim for actual phone bills (minutes and data) if you need to
use a personal phone. You can also buy additional equipment and claim the money
back up to a maximum of £100. DO NOT DO THIS until you have got approval from
your manager.
School
Closures
PCS
has negotiated improvements for members with children. Please read the attached
for details if you have children.
If
your colleagues are on unpaid special leave for childcare please let them know.
If you manage staff in that situation please read the circular and reconsider
the decision to not award special leave with pay.
If you have concerns please get in
touch with your rep if they are in work or send an e-mail to the shared
mailbox.
AND REMEMBER in times of crisis it is more important than ever
to join a union. Ask all your colleagues, friends and relations to join a union
and if any of your colleagues are members but don’t get this e-mail ask them to
e-mail me and ask to be put on the list.
Clap for Carers
The event still goes on. It is
important that we remember that clapping is not enough. Some front line key
workers are still not receiving the PPE that they require and we all deserve a
decent pay rise. A badge doesn’t stop the disease from spreading. Actions speak
louder than words (or clapping). #GiveThemPPE.
Keeping Healthy
I hope that people are keeping well
and following the advice to try and avoid catching coronavirus.
But there are other health
considerations. It is a good idea to try and maintain some physical exercise if
you are able to. I have been walking round in circles in my garden while I am
on telekits to get some physical exercise.
And look after your mental health.
Some people are starting to be affected by the isolation and frustration of
being at home. And possibly worse is the staff left in the offices with half or
even more not at work. In Jobcentres in particular I have had reports of
members under huge pressure trying to set up UC claims as quickly as possible
to help the public survive. The new aspiration to clear 20 claims a day is
clearly to help those most in need but it needs to be managed in a supportive
rather than a punitive manner. You can only do what you can do. If you are a
line manager please look after your staff and yourself. We are all feeling the
strain.
There is a lot of advice on the
internet and intranet about how to help manage your stress. And make use of the
annual leave provisions that we now have. Please note that the rules
changed this week for staff who are working and for those on special leave.
Please make sure that you are up to date with this. Don’t do too much and burn
out. This won’t help you, the business, the public, or your colleagues.
Availability of reps
As well as me working
from home a number of our reps are at home for medical reasons. And next week
we have even fewer in work due to leave over Easter. The remaining reps are
negotiating with management and members about coronavirus and keeping people safe.
We have now set up regular communications with managers at CMG site level and
Jobcentre District level feeding in issues from reps and members who are at
home and those in work as we still represent all of our members.
Please be patient at
this time. We ask managers to defer HR issues where possible so as to enable
managers, staff, and reps can concentrate on safety and business continuity.
The following is now in
the coronavirus guidance:
You should be flexible and practicable
in applying deadlines in any procedures, not just Grievance. Your discretion
should be applied, based on the circumstances, to allow reasonable additional
time for things to get done in the current situation. This might apply to
deadlines for submitting grievances, notice of meetings and time allowed for
trade union reps. or note-takers to be obtained. To the greatest extend
possible, travel between sites for meetings should be avoided, with
participants expected to agree telephone, VC or Skype meetings.
PCS
Branch Reps
There is a list of reps on the Branch Blog. Please find out your
local one. If you don’t have one on site why not volunteer?
PCS Records
It’s a good idea to
make sure that your details are correct, both to comply with GDPR and so that
PCS can contact you. You
can use
the update function, here and or log on to the PCS web site to
register or check and update your details. If you cannot update your
details please get in touch.
If you get an e-mail,
a text, or a call from PCS to check your details and ask about your
participation it is genuine. Please say hello from me and help our PCS team.
Communications
It is essential that
members know what is going on in the union. Please talk to your colleagues and
your nearest rep (if you have one on site). There is also information of the
web sites. If you register as above you will receive information about
campaigns and what is going on in PCS.
Recruitment
The more members we
have the stronger we are. We are planning an extra push on recruitment.
If your colleagues are
not members ask them to join. If they don’t receive these e-mails ask them to
drop me a line and I’ll put them on my distribution list.
Facebook
PCS also has a
national and local branch Facebook page but you cannot view these on DWP
equipment. Log on to your Facebook account and search for PCS DWP
Leicestershire Branch. If you are not a recognisable member of the branch
you won’t be added so let me know your real name if you use an alias on
Facebook.
Other News
Other news is, as usual, on the relevant web site.
How to get help with a personal case
Please follow the
instruction on the branch blog. Do NOT contact me personally or
it may slow down your case. DO NOT SEND THE FORM TO THE PCS LEGAL E-MAIL
ADDRESS.
In order for us to effectively negotiate on your behalf please let
us know of the issues in your workplace by replying to our PCS branch mailbox
or by clicking reply to this e-mail.
Ramadan
Mubarak to all taking part. It will be a strange one. It may be time to learn
about video calling. It’s a time of fasting, contemplation and charitable deeds.
This year it seems especially apt if all non-Muslims join in with the latter
two as well.
Whatever
you are doing make a difference.
Watch
out for my e-mail next Friday.
Branch Secretary PCS DWP Leicestershire Branch
