States of Jersey pay policy during Covid-19 (FOI)

Request

On 6 April the Government of Jersey published its interim pay policy positions in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. This can be viewed at the following link:

Covid-19 Interim Pay Policy Positions

This interim policy states that:

“In these exceptional circumstances in order to support essential and critical services we may ask employees to work hours that may be different to those they currently work including early starts / late finishes and weekend working and there will be no extra pay.”

During the pandemic many of those employed in the public service have gone above and beyond their contracted hours and duties, to the detriment of their mental and physical health.

I would therefore like to know:

A

Which Government of Jersey Departments authorised the payment of overtime to their staff involved in the pandemic response?

B

What action has been taken to quantify the unpaid hours of additional work undertaken by Government staff since the pandemic response began in March, so the true cost of the response can be calculated?

C

What plans are in place to recognise the value of this unpaid work as a donated asset in the Government of Jersey’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2020?

Response

A

The following departments have authorised the payment of overtime in March, April and May 2020:

• Chief Operating Office

• Children, Young People, Education and Skills

• Customer and Local Services

• Growth Housing and Environment

• Health and Community Services

• Justice and Home Affairs

• Non Ministerial

• Office of the Chief Executive

• Treasury & Exchequer

B

The Government of Jersey has issued interim policies on flexitime and pay. Individuals are encouraged to work with their managers to manage their time so they do not accrue additional hours. They are also encouraged to take holidays so that they do not accrue large amounts of leave, and so that people have time away for their general health and wellbeing. The employer does not have arrangements for monitoring hours that people may work above their contracted hours and which do not qualify for an overtime payment or flexitime where appropriate.

C

The States of Jersey Annual Report and Accounts will not recognise a financial liability for any additional hours that are not captured through overtime arrangements. However, a liability will be recognised as an estimate of the financial value of all untaken leave across the organisation.