12 Hour Shift Feedback Presentation

1
Proposal to move to 2 x 12 hour shifts
Rostering for Duty Project October 2008
2
Presentation Aim

• Provide clarification on issues raised by crews
  during initial watch discussions and provide the
  opportunity for staff to provide alternative
  solutions

3
Presentation Objectives
By the end of the presentation colleagues will
have -

• reviewed the reasons for change
• reviewed the project aim and objectives to which
  the Rostering for Duty project team are working
  
• received clarification on the main themes of
  concern raised during the initial watch
  discussions
• discussed the main areas of concern and make
  alternative suggestions to achieve the project
  aims and objectives

4
Background
External Pressures
5
Background
Internal Pressures
6
Background

• Corporate Plan 2006 2009
• Review the existing duty systems, including the
  start and finish times and implement any
  improvements necessary

7
Project Aim

• Research and introduce a rostering system that
  maximizes our efficiency and effectiveness in
  responding to operational incidents, completing
  safety-critical training and carrying out
  community engagement work, whilst prioritising
  the work-life balance of our staff, employment
  laws and firefighters conditions of service.

8
Project Objectives

• Increase training capacity
• Increase capacity to undertake all watch based
  activities
• Comply with relevant legislation
• Increase employee flexible working opportunities
• Increase confidence levels on front line
  appliances
• Increase organisational flexibility to match
  resources to the risk profile.

9
Project Plan Timeline
Now
Phase A
Shift Durations
Feasibility Study
Business Case
Communicate With Employees Rep Bodies
Use feedback to finalise proposals
Way forward identified
Rostering for Duty Project
Phase B (Complex)
Rostering for Duty
Feasibility Study
10
Current Proposals

• Phase A
• 2 x 12 hour shift proposal
• Discussion period until November 30th
• Seeking staff suggestions for alternatives which
  meet the project objectives
• Phase B
• Currently completing feasibility study
• 2 alternatives which would iron out the
  inefficiencies in the current system
• 5 watch system (dd-nn)
• 4 watch with Operational Resource Team (ORT)
  (dd-nn)

11
Common issues which have emerged from the initial
watch discussions
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Questions and Queries

• Why are we proposing to change now when the
  current start and finish times have worked for
  almost 30 years?

13
Questions and Queries

• Why cant the benefits of moving to 12 hour
  shifts be achieved within the current working
  arrangements.

14
Questions and Queries

• Is 1600 to 1900hrs the best time to be going into
  the community to offer our HFSRA service?

15
Questions and Queries

• What changes are taking place at TDC to ensure
  that the increased requirement to provide
  training will be achieved?

16
Questions and Queries

• Arent these proposals less family friendly than
  the current shift times?

17
Questions and Queries

• Will watch managers still have flexibility to
  manage their time how they think fit?

18
Questions and Queries

• Why is the statistical argument in the business
  case based on a comparison between a proposed 12
  hour shift model and a work routine which is not
  currently in use and hasnt been for quite some
  time?

19
Questions and Queries

• Will the additional time be achieved by spending
  less time on work activities such as equipment
  checks and kit cleaning?

20
Questions and Queries

• Wont the change simply achieve an extra 3 hours
  on one shift at the expense of another? Isnt it
  how those hours are spent that important?

21
Questions and Queries

• A shift change over time of between 1900hrs and
  2000hrs coincides with the peak in incident
  activity. Wont this cost more money in overtime
  payments?

22
Questions and Queries

• The proposals will mean that appliances and crews
  will get stuck in rush hour traffic in the early
  evening?

23
Questions and Queries

• Would a move to 12 hour shifts have a detrimental
  effect on the retention and future recruitment of
  female personnel, particularly those with young
  children?

24
Finally

• Do you have any other questions or queries which
  have not yet been answered?
• Do you have any other suggestions which could be
  considered by the project team?

25
Thank You