A University of Western Sydney (UWS) plan to cut the amount of ‘flex leave’ hours available to staff in half has prompted Union members to petition against the plan.
‘Flex leave’ is a privilege enjoyed by staff, allowing them to take any two days per month off, in return for additional hours worked on other days.
The ‘flex leave’ arrangements are currently being discussed as part of enterprise bargaining and the University has proposed a reduction of hours from 14 to seven, or only one day off per month as opposed to two.
“‘Flex leave’ is very important to us. I am a widow and access to my ‘flex leave’ when my husband was sick was really helpful. Knowing that I could take time off when I needed it was nice,” said UWS Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) Vice
President, Lorraine Fordham, who has been working at the administration office at Kingswood for over 22 years.
“[Reducing ‘flex leave’ hours] could have quite a big impact. Many staff members have young families or are carers and need their flex time.”
Enterprise bargaining is the negotiation of working conditions between the UWS CPSU and UWS, in order to come to an agreement suitable to all.
One agreement lasts around three years and as ‘flex leave’ is the “most important” item on the agenda this year, according to the Union members, staff have chosen to petition to ensure their message is heard loud and clear during the process.
“Our members have been coming to us and telling us that their ‘flex leave’ is really important to them,” Ms Fordham said.
“We are trying to maintain the current working conditions for them and we hope the issue can be resolved.”
A spokesperson for UWS said that they remain committed to providing staff with flexible working hours.
“‘Flex leave’ will remain an important part of these flexible options for staff, however the University would like to ensure the management and provision of this leave is consistent across the University,” a UWS spokesperson said.
“It is important we consider the feedback from supervisors that managing ‘flex leave’ can be challenging, especially in small teams.”
