Dispute escalates to Authority after failed mediation between union, government
The New Zealand government's order for public servants to return onsite has escalated to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) following failed mediation with the union.
The Public Service Association (PSA) said the confidential mediation "failed to resolve the difference" between the union and the government regarding the work-from-home policy for public servants.
Fleur Fitzsimons, national secretary of the PSA, said they are dismayed over the failed mediation.
"While we're still open to settling this matter outside of the Authority, the government is digging in its heels on its arbitrary wish to force public servants, who have performed to a high standard for years now while working from home, back into the office," Fitzsimons said in a statement.
The New Zealand government's order for public servants to return to their workplaces was announced last year with the government saying working from home is an "entitlement" that should be agreed on and monitored.
But the PSA has argued that the government can't just end the working from home arrangements after entering the Gender Pay Principles agreement, and then its follow-up Flexible Work by Default deal.
The Gender Pay Principles aim to normalise flexible working arrangements for all positions and employees without adversely affecting security of employment.
The follow-up deal, Flexible Work by Default, gave effect to the previous principles, and was signed by the PSA and the government.
"The fact of the matter is, the government entered into the Gender Pay Principles and the Flexible Work by Default agreements," Fitzsimons said.
"You can't just rip up these agreements when thousands of people rely on them to maintain their personal and whanau wellbeing."
According to the PSA, not having work from home as the default disadvantages women, who make up 62% of the public service.
"Working from home is good for women, good for people with chronic health conditions, and good for people with disabilities. It's good for everyone including employers and even the government too," Fitzsimons said.
In New Zealand, data from the Public Service Commission revealed that 33% of public servants are working from home either one or two days a week.
Public Service Minister Judith Collins said she could not comment on the case because it is already before the ERA, Stuff reported.
Collins told the news outlet that she did not have a problem with WFH as long as they have an agreement with their manager.
"It is not a right, it is something that is negotiated," she said as quoted by Stuff.
