Gov’t workers to be placed on rotated schedules as public service operates longer
Public Servants are expected to be rotated to facilitate the extension of government service hours, commencing Monday, May 11.
A circular – sent from the Deputy Governor David Archer to all department heads in the public service and obtained by our newsroom – indicates that the new operating hours for the public service will be from 8 am to 5 pm during the week.
“This does not mean each public officer has to work an extra hour. This means department heads are responsible for arranging schedules so that services are provided within the allotted hours of 8 am to 5 pm,” the Deputy Governor said.
He said these department heads are expected to ensure that they utilise a rotation system and flexible schedules to ensure that government employees are “fully engaged”.
“You will all agree the extended hours of operations are necessary at this critical time to maximise resources and to ensure full access to all Government services by the public. This is part of the continued efforts to adapt to and live with the new realities that we face,” Archer added.
And while commending departments that have passed the inspection, the Deputy Governor urged others to get on board.
“I wish to thank all public officers for their continued efforts in ensuring we can function in a safe and healthy workspace, and we are doing our part in rebooting the economy. I am proud of public officers who continue to provide services to our clients, especially during this period of working and living with COVID-19.
“As a reminder, all departments, units and divisions that have not yet completed their occupancy inspections are required to do so urgently to ensure their operations can resume by Monday, May 11.”
Occupancy inspections are inspections that are carried out to determine whether the offices are suitable for operation with regards to the implementation of various measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
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They’re expected to work ???? That’s a new one. What’s becoming of the BVI ?
I thought they were always on rotation with the time some of them goes to work. This would be very interesting.
interested indeed
haters gonna hate
I’m a little dense and slow. So can someone educate me as to why working from 8 a..m. to 5 p.m. means that officers are working an extra hour? Does not working 8-5 means working 8 productive hours (well that is intent on paper) and 1 hour for lunch. Not averse to flex time, ie, officers working 4-10 hour days, if it is a win-win for both employees and taxpayers. In some instances, there is value, cost savings…….etc in flex time.
Working a 40-hour week, normally means working 5-8 hour days with an 1-hour for lunch each day. The typical work day is 8-5. There are variations to the 40-hour week/80-hour pay period. For example, some employees can be on 4-10 hour day compressed work schedule. Or 8-9 hour days and 1-8 hour day with a day off in an 80-hour pay period.
Is the Deputy Governor hinting at reducing work hours for some officers so as to keep everyone working as long as practical. This is one option and furlough is another. But as Elton Leonard, Bobby’s owner, quipped, “everyone has to eat.” The same sentiment was expressed by an 8th District candidate in the 2011 General Election.
The typical 8 hour workday is 9 – 5 not 8 – 5.
Remember the song Working 9 – 5 and that includes a lunch hour.
Regardless, an 8 hour shift includes a lunch hour so you are really working 7 hours.
@Quiet Rebel, in my long work experience, the typical work day is 8 hours per day:8-5, ie, 8 productive hours and 1 hour of down time for lunch. Overtime is paid for time work over 8 hours per day and at least 40 works per week.
If you start work at 9, you have to work until 6 ( 8 productive hours plus 1 hour for lunch). Hourly workers normally get a 15 minute break in the morning and 15 minute break in the afternoon. Thus, the typical productive time per day is an ambitious approx 6.5 hours (81% productivity). Minimum targeted productivity rate ranges between 68-72%. Low productivity cost big bucks. Boosting productivity is one area where government can get value for money. Another is attaining fair and reasonable pricing on contracts.
Since the workers have had 2 months off doing nothing, it seems they could put forth a little extra time.
FYI we had NO time off. We worked remotely from the comfort of our homes thanks to the Dept of IT unlike your simple minded…
HATERS WILL ALWAYS HATE…
They don’t know half of what Public Officers have to do to keep this country running but yet they want to say that we don’t do anything. SMH
So if I come for 8 I leave at 4 if I come for 8:30 I leave at 4:30 and if I come for 9 I leave at 5 ????
That’s right
Plenty Trust Companies work from before sun up to near midnight all through the pandemic while working remotely.
Government workers this ain’t nothing for you especially on a shift.
8:30 – 4:30 is just fine. I didnt seethe need for the change. It will not bring out about any more productivity and you best believe offices will he closed at 4:30!
HATERS WILL ALWAYS HATE…
They don’t know half of what Public Officers have to do to keep this country running but yet they want to say that we don’t do anything. SMH
Moving forward all Road Town government workers should not be on 8:30 to 4:30 schedule. Government should consider shifts 7:30 to 3:30 and 9:30 to 5:30 this will help with traffic in central Road Town. This will also ensure that if both parents work for government it makes it easier for a parent to be there when the child is a home if parents live together. It makes it easier for others to help also. It We are in a global world and we have to start thinking global. When all of us are rushing into town for 8:30 it craziness.
Every place else government workers work 8 productive hours plus 1 hour for lunch, ie, 8-5 {8-12, 12-1(lunch), 1-5}. VI seems to think 8-4 is a normal 8 hour day; that is 7 productive hours plus 1 hour lunch; 35 productive hours per week. Elsewhere employers don’t pay for lunch unless the employee actually works thru his/her lunch hour.
A 40-hour week does not mean 35 hours productive time plus 5 hours for lunch. Instead, it is typically 40 hours of productive time plus 5 hours for lunch. There are 2080 regular work hours in a year not including 260 hours for lunch. Of the 2080 hours, approx 1600 is spent on the job. What is the level of productivity for the 1600 hours on the job? Probably less than 60%.