The PSA met again with NSW Treasury to provide feedback on the Draft Flexible Work Policy following the meeting of PSA members.

Members are concerned about the proposal to return to the office “working an average of three days a week or more over the course of a month”.

The Premier’s Department Circular C2024-03 NSW Government Sector workplace presence does not mandate the number of days staff are required in the office. The PSA says NSW Treasury is the only NSW Department to propose a three-day-a-week return to the office.

Members question the rationale for the proposal and are concerned that such a prescriptive approach does not get the balance right.

• Members were supportive of the benefits of working from home (WFH) where flexibility allows staff to better manage their personal commitments and peaks in workload. Those with carers’ responsibility can meet their contractual arrangements and achieve better work life balance when WFH.
• Members say currently there is a lack of available office space, with meeting rooms and quiet room,s to accommodate a three-day approach. This adds to increasing noise levels and disruptions in open plan accommodation.
• Members were also concerned about the communications from management, saying there will be strict enforcement, possible disciplinary actions and retributions, where three days a week in the office would be linked to their PDPs.
• Member thought the supervisor is best placed to approve and review flexible work agreements, as they know staff workloads, their work and/or personal commitments and should know staff whereabouts.

It’s not too late to raise your concerns with the PSA, which will meet with NSW Treasury this Thursday.

The PSA invites you to the next meeting of members.

Details

Date Thursday 31 October 2024
Time 12:00pm-1:00pm

Meeting to be held via Microsoft Teams
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID 468 272 467 182
Passcode dUCUGK