One question I had prepared for him but didn’t manage to ask, was connect to him stating that most civil servants live and work outside of London, and that ‘one shouldn’t believe everything one reads in the press’.

I wanted to ask him, in his capacity of Head of the Home Civil Service, if he would respond to the recent furore in the press (specifically in The Times online) following that paper’s report that the Government was instructing Civil Servants in London to work at home during the Olympics, and the consequent claims that this instruction (which it wasn’t) would effectively give Civil Servants seven weeks’ paid holiday over that period.

Perhaps a letter from Sir Bob to the Editor of The Times, would be welcome, clarifying the ‘working from home’ position of many Civil Servants across the country, not just in London?

I was reading at the weekend the unwarranted criticism of the civil service flexi time scheme. I have bogged how beneficial this system is to the civil service and the goverment.

Civil Service Flexi Time

Monday, 21 May 2012 09:33

This week in the news both the Telegraph and the Sunday Mail reported, “Civil servants are being permitted to take up to three extra days’ holiday a month”!

First of all this is not true, civil servants can get up to three extra “Rest days” a month. For anyone working shifts, you understand the difference. This is a brilliant system for both the staff and employers. The operation is more efficient and the benefits far out way the disadvantages.

How Flexi time works?

Flexi time allows the employee to work at a time of their choosing within the company’s rules. This means that by working more hours together, they can have more time off together. They are perfectly entitled to these extra days off, they are working their contracted hours, they are fulfilling their contract to do the work they are being paid for. The advantages to the employer are even more than those to the employee.

The point you should be noting is that first of all most civil service work is not time critical, by that I do not mean that they do not have to meet deadlines rather they can do the work just as effectively at 7a.m. as at 9a.m. There are, of couse, some time critical jobs like call centres etc. where starting work at 7a.m. not 9a.m. would not be applicable.

The advantages of Flexi time

First of all for the individual;
■There is a better work-life balance,
■Less commutes,
■Less fatigue,
■More days off,
■Lower sickness.

Benefits for the company include;
■Better motivated workers,
■More efficient and effective operation,
■Less fatigued workers, so less errors,
■They get people working overtime hours without paying overtime rates,
■Fewer facilities required,
■Lower sickness.

Put like that the real question is why isn’t everyone doing it?

We promote flexi time to our clients if it is appropriate, because the benefits to both parties, far out way the disadvantages. In the individual’s case it means they won’t get as much overtime pay, and the company has to ensure that the system is not abused.

However you don’t just have to have flexi time, to get these advantages. Shift work means that with the right shift pattern you could get over 10 weeks off per year. We have set up shift patterns where a three month holiday is possible.

You can find this blog at http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120604101955oe_/http://www.oranalysts.com/contact-us/blog

My Regards
Dr Moore

Because the UK has a long-respected professional public administration core and history, the study also includes interviews with key UK leaders.

Is there any chance that I can interview Jeremy Heywood and/or Bob Kerslake in London in July 2012 as part of the study

Bruce Barkley