AHW review

AHW review for 2021 to 2022 year

PCS has been informed that Home Office areas where staff are employed under AHW (Annualised Hours Working) terms are to have their contracts reviewed.

The GEC (Group Executive Committee) has received notification from Home Office that within the majority of business areas where staff are employed under AHW terms, a fundamental review of demand for premium payments within all modules is to be conducted.

Home Office have stated that following on from the COVID 19 crisis, demand for premium hours has reduced, and as such the crisis has created an opportunity to review AHW contracts. The review will cover all areas including weekends, public holidays and nights, along with flexibility payments and on call.

Whilst PCS accept that annual reviews iare part of the AHW policy, PCS has pushed back on this stating that attendances this year are not representative of the demand for staff going forward, as yet the business demands from what is appearing to be a no deal exit from the EU exit transition arrangements are entirely unknown. Therefore, any forecast of demand can be based on speculation at best. Additionally, PCS do not feel that a fundamental review of rates is an appropriate way of rewarding members who have worked tirelessly during the crisis and continue to do so to deliver the business of Home Office at all levels and in all settings.

Despite our protestations, the review is going ahead with warnings to senior leaders that any rates that remain the same or increase will be subject to scrutiny at the highest level. This we felt was not helpful where senior leaders deem that demand will at least meet the current contracts, this veiled threat encourages them to under purchase premium elements.

Again PCS countered this by demanding that if a contract is under purchased that any in year increases should be backdated to the beginning of the contract to balance the initial error in forecasting. With the exception of module 1 (Flexibility) this was rejected by Home Office and as such you can guess the direction of travel on this.

PCS would ask if members hear of changes to rosters or working practices which may have an impact on AHW they should engage with their local reps or branch officers to ensure that they are aware of the plans. We are very anxious that local leaders are engaging fully with branches and that they are being clear and transparent with their plans and demand forecasts.

Only with the co-ordinated response are PCS able to ensure that we can negotiate a fair and consistent outcome for members. Likewise, now might be the time for you to get involved with the union and volunteer to become a PCS advocate within your branch and play your part in making the union stronger.

Pete Wright (Group Vice President). Kevin Mills (Assistant Group Secretary), Steven Taylor (Assistant Group Secretary)