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| EU WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE | Implementation of the EU Working Time
Directive in the Defence Forces
RACO General Secretary Designate, Commandant Conor King, writes on the European Working Time Directive, the implementation of which, in the Defence Forces, would be a significant move to addressing the current situation which has critically affected morale and has also impacted on operation outputs.
Photographs by Peter Shaughnessy
Ireland is not in compliance with the provisions of the EU Working Time Directive (WTD), where the Defence Forces is concerned. The Climate Survey and Focus Group Reports from the University of Limerick laid bare the mental health difficulties, increased stress and low morale being experienced by Defence Forces soldiers, sailors and aircrew. Our people are double and treble jobbing in an effort to maintain operational output, due to inadequate trained manning levels in units. Implementing and enforcing the rest periods in accordance with the Working Time Directive provisions will contribute towards alleviating this untenable burden.
The DF is surviving on the goodwill and loyalty of its personnel; that willingness to go over and above the call of duty to achieve the mission or complete the task. Inadequate supervision and mentoring combined with inadequate trained manning levels leads to inevitable burnout, and creates serious concerns for governance, and the ability to manage risk and ensure the wellbeing of our personnel (University of Limerick Focus Group Report 2017). Implementation of the WTD could assist in mitigating these negative workplace themes.
The focus of the RACO Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) on 29 and 30 November 2018 was the implementation of the WTD in the Irish Defence Forces. Special guests included the speakers from the German and Swedish Military Associations, along with our colleagues from the Garda Representative Association whose respective organisations have successfully introduced and implemented the WTD to their entire realm of operations. Additionally in attendance were key members of the Military Management Working Group on the WTD (senior staff officers from J1, J3/5, J6, J7 and SPB) who greatly benefited from the experience of the guest speakers.
Background
The Organisation of Working Time Act1 (OWTA) transposes into Irish law European Council Directive 93/104/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time. The Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána were excluded from the scope of the OWTA provisions due to the unique nature of the work they undertake. The Working Time Directive as amended by Council Directive 2003/88/EC2 lays down minimum requirements for the organisation of working time in respect of periods of daily rest, breaks, weekly rest, maximum weekly working time, annual leave and aspects of night work, shift work and patterns of work. The Directive, as transposed by the OWTA, provides for the following:
• A maximum average 48 hour working week for employees averaged over four months (hours include time spent on call in the work place, and working lunches/coffee breaks);
• Rest breaks during the day for employees;
• For a daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours between each working day;
• And a weekly rest period of 35 consecutive hours for employees.
1 The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997
2 Directive 2003/88/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time
Comdt Conor King introduces the Panel Discussion
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