Union Mail – October 2012

Branch Network Working Arrangements

The announcement on Monday 1 October 2012 regarding changes to the working arrangements in the branch network is causing considerable debate as people seek to understand the implications of the changes for them. These are significant changes, which is why it has been agreed that the next three months will be a transition period to help provide time for everyone to work through what the changes mean for them personally. Based on the feedback we’ve received so far there are some key messages we would like to re-enforce.

Overtime

All Retail Areas still have an overtime budget and the payment of overtime will continue to be an essential feature of working arrangements as the Society seeks to provide a full service to customers over six days.

Planned overtime can be rostered as TOIL but where it cannot be taken within two weeks, or balances exceed the equivalent of two days, it will be paid at the end of the month.

Unplanned overtime – which includes staying past your rostered finish time to continue to serve customers – will be paid. The requirement to work through a paid rest break continues to be compensated by a rest break payment or claiming TOIL if this is your choice.

Details of when overtime can be claimed and when TOIL balances will be paid are set out clearly in the Joint Statement and Q&As issued on 1 October 2012. Please refer to these documents and if you are denied the opportunity to claim overtime as described, please contact us.

The rostering and TOIL recording tools provide the mechanisms that will ensure you are properly compensated for all of the hours you are required to work.

Working Patterns

The next three months is a transitional period to help managers and teams to understand the resourcing needs of their branch and to become familiar with the rostering and TOIL tools. Although managers will start to have conversations about how rostering needs will work for individuals, any proposed change to a working pattern should be discussed and concerns properly considered.

The Working Arrangements Guides for Managers and Employees set out the issues that need to be considered when changing a working pattern. We recommend that all employees take time to read the guide to ensure proposed changes are being discussed appropriately. It will be particularly useful for part-time employees to be familiar with this guidance if their manager is asking them to consider changes to their current working arrangements. You can download both guides from the NGSU website.

Although Saturday becomes a normal working day the principle of not working more that 5 Saturdays in a 9 week period has been put into Policy. This does not mean employees have to work 5 Saturdays in this period or are prevented from working more. You should discuss your preferences with your manager.

The extended operating framework does not mean that there are plans for branches to open later or on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Any outbound calling activity which is arranged outside of opening times will be a voluntary activity.

Commitment to Implement the Changes Fairly

A crucial part of the Agreement between Nationwide and NGSU is a commitment to implement these changes fairly. A number of members have told us that although these commitments are fine words they do not believe they will translate into practice, for example, that although they may try to claim an overtime payment they will be prevented or discouraged from doing so.

We understand these concerns but if we are to see a positive change in the culture we need members to tell us if things are going wrong and give us permission to raise these issues directly with Nationwide. There are safeguards in this agreement – please tell us if they are being abused and we will work with the DDs to correct the situation.
Tim Poil
General Secretary

Regional Councils and Branch EIC Meetings

We will be holding the next round of Union Regional Councils and Branch EIC meetings during October and November. Please contact your local Representative if you have any issues you would like to be discussed. The Branch Network Councils and EIC meetings will be a further opportunity to discuss issues arising from the new working arrangements.

• Retail North 1 – Thu/Fri 1/2 November
• Retail North 2 – Wed 7 November
• Retail South 1 – Fri 26 October
• Retail South 2 – Thurs 8 November
• Retail South 3 – Wed 10 October

• Bournemouth – Tues 9 October
• Cheshire & Derbyshire – Tues 6 November
• Dunfermline – Wed 31 October
• Northampton – Wed 10 October
• Swindon Support Services – Thurs 25 October
• Swindon Products, Services & Sales – Thurs 25 October

You can find out who your local Rep is from the ‘Who’s My Rep’ link on the homepage of the NGSU website. If there’s no Rep in the area you work, please consider standing. For more information about being a Rep, call Kerry Wagg on 01295 710767.

Health and Safety Awareness Month

At Nationwide, most employees work in a low risk environment and that can mean that awareness of health and safety issues can sometimes get lost, as other work matters take priority. However, Health and Safety is important and so we’re pleased that Nationwide makes October the focus for raising awareness about everyone’s responsibilities for making the workplace a safe environment.

Everyone will be required to complete the Health and Safety Personal Responsibility Statement but we’d also urge members to devote time to participate in the other planned activity and read the news articles published through out the month. This will include guidance on preventing slips, trips and falls (still the biggest cause of accidents at Nationwide), security measures and incident reporting, and on coping with stress and tackling the causes of stress.

Insurance Costs Set to Rise

You may recall that in June’s Rapport magazine we reported on the changes to the insurance world which will come into effect on 21 December 2012. Over the past few weeks, more and more comment is being made in the media about the likely impact that this will have on women in particular as insurers will no longer be able to charge different premiums based on gender.

Of particular concern is the probable increase in car insurance premiums for women under 40 as they currently pay less than men, as they make fewer and lower value claims. The ABI has warned that women under 25 may pay as much as 25% more for their car insurance. Additionally, women could see a rise of up to 20% for life insurance (ABI).

If you’re planning to arrange or review your insurances, buying before November may be a way of beating the premium increases.

October’s Draw Winners

First Prize: £10,736
086928: Suman Sharma of Ruislip

Second Prize: £5,000
113905: Carly Box of Clacton on Sea

Third Prize: £2,000
082298: Dru Blake of Transaction Monitoring

Fourth Prizes: £500

123528: Shankar Bhandari of Finchley
083461: Simon McCrudden of Associate Members
108197: Mikeal Ellis of P&S Systems Support