Nationality Update

PCS meet with Nationality management

PCS reps recently met with Nationality management as part of our regular engagement and to raise members concerns.

Workforce Planning

There was a general discussion on future workforce planning but we were told at this stage, whilst it is anticipated that new work will be coming into the unit, plans for additional recruitment will only be looked into once management have reviewed whether the work can be absorbed within the current staffing levels taking into account expected productivity savings with ATLAS and MIDAS which would free up staff. It was acknowledged that agency staff recruited in anticipation for expected incoming workstreams have been retained and placed on caseworking teams. Management confirmed that 40 AO staff currently on loan from EUSS will return to their parent unit at the end of the financial year. Commitment was given that this will be an ongoing agenda item to be discussed in future meetings with PCS.

Staff Loans

PCS raised a concern that we had been told loanees from Euro at AO grade were being TCA’d to roles at EO grade in Nationality rather than offering that opportunity to existing Nationality staff. Management didn’t think this was correct and after the meeting confirmed in writing that this may be confusion because EUSS staff have been offered TCA posts at the EO grade and some of the AO staff due to come on loan to Nationality were successful in this so stayed in EUSS and were then replaced with other AO EUSS staff coming on loan to Nationality. Management confirmed that there was no TCA exercise offered for AO work in Citizenship. PCS asked to be provided with figures for the data of longstanding TCA’s in the unit (of more than12 months) which management have agreed to provide.

Hybrid Working

PCS asked about plans for the move to a hybrid working model but the position remains the same as it is across the The Capital Building. Management are following current guidance and will review the situation once any changes are made but they are limited by the curved desks on the floor from going above 30% occupancy under current rules as it has been for some time.

If members have concerns or issues not covered by this briefing that you would like to be brought up at future meetings please get in touch with Jacqui Hughes or Phil Mount as the Nationality lead reps for PCS or click here to contact us by email.