However we were not consulted on the contents of the offer letters which have now been sent to staff. We are very concerned that it has now come to light that these contained no mention of the fact that the interim homeworking policy was to apply as a temporary variation until a full homeworking policy was agreed. At this point individuals could decide whether to become a contractual homeworker on a permanent basis. Members have also been contacting us with concerns that they were sent a document containing CSCI terms and conditions which appeared to contain certain changes to the previous CSCI terms and conditions document.
At the JNC meeting on 20 September CSCI management assured us that there should have been no changes to terms and conditions other than work location and they agreed to look into the mysterious changes and provide clarification.
We asked that they put out further guidance to clarify that staff would be signing up on a temporary basis and that when the full homeworking policy is agreed staff will have the option to decide whether to accept it on a permanent basis. We are currently waiting for a draft of this so we can check that it accurately reflects our position.
Neither side expects the full policy to be worse in any aspect than the interim policy but there are a number of issues that still need to be addressed. We asked that a union- management homeworking group be set up to conclude negotiations on a full homeworking policy which would be offered to a wider range of staff on an optional basis. These discussions would in particular need to settle the issue of eligibility for zone allowances, and extending the current protection period.
As we are currently waiting for them to come up with a draft of these clarifications we would advise any members who have not yet accepted the interim homeworking offer to delay doing so. For those who have signed up we will seek to ensure that you get confirmation of these clarifications on an individual basis.
