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5-year transitional period and failed to consult with representative associations as provided for under the oft-quoted Article 17 of the Directive7, which deals with derogations and exemptions. It should be noted that Article 18 provides for derogations by collective agreements.
RACO has a key role to play in engaging with key stakeholders (DOD, Military Management, PDFORRA and not least our Membership) in a productive, collaborative and holistic (not piecemeal) manner to identify and illustrate the potential benefits of the WTD. Our colleagues in AGS, The German Armed Forces and the Swedish Navy have shown how the legislation can be embraced without compromising operational effectiveness. As leaders we must be at the vanguard in leading positive change within our organisation, while continuing to demand the most basic and effective HR planning and certainty for our people, which is the least that they and their families deserve. With the right approach, the WTD can achieve this.
Implementation of the Directive is not something to be feared but should rather be viewed by military managers as an opportunity to champion wellbeing, improve work life balance and morale, and therefore positively affect retention. While the employment of wholesale exemptions or derogations from the WTD may have provided a convenient comfort blanket for Management to this point, this practice is now breaching legislation and must not be employed to the detriment of the wellbeing of our personnel.
RACO and PDFORRA have a duty to our Members to collaborate with other key stakeholders with the goal of ensuring a healthy and safe working environment. Full implementation of the EU Working Time Directive can assist the organisation in creating essential workforce planning systems that are compatible with legislation and that make a positive contribution to increase wellbeing, promote structured forecasting, and improve retention. As leaders we must be at the vanguard in leading positive change within the organisation, while continuing to demand the most basic and effective HR planning and certainty for our people,
7 Article 17(5): The employer shall consult the representatives of the employees in good time with a view to reaching an agree- ment, wherever possible, on the arrangements applying to the transitional period. Within the limits set out in the fifth subpara- graph, such an agreement may cover:
The average number of weekly hours of work during the transi- tional period; and
The measures to be adopted to reduce weekly working hours to an average of 48 by the end of the transitional period.
| EU WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE |
which is the least that they and their families deserve. With the right approach, the Working Time Directive can achieve this.
Biography:
RACO Gen Sec Designate Commandant Conor King
Commandant Conor King has over 20 years’ service in the Defence Forces. His last position prior to his secondment was OC 1 Mechanised Infantry Company, DFTC, with responsibility for the fleet of Infantry Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and the stewardship of the ongoing MOWAG Maintenance and Mid-life upgrade project. He has served in a variety of appointments, at Unit, Formation and DFHQ level as well as overseas in missions in the Balkans, the Middle East and Africa. Sample appointments include; Resource Management Analyst - Strategic Planning Branch; Senior Auditor - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (while on secondment), and more recently, SO G7 (Training & Education), DFTC HQ, and a range of unit level appointments in the 12 Infantry Battalion, from Platoon Commander to Coy Commander and all the roles in between. He been an active Association Member with experience as the DFTC Committee Chairman and Association Vice President and Acting President. His Academic qualifications include a B.Comm with German (NUI Galway), a Masters in Business Studies in HRM (University of Limerick) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Strategy Innovation and Change (UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School). Commandant King hails from Athlone, Co Westmeath, but resides in Athgarvan, Co Kildare. He is married to Amanda, and they have two boys; Alex (5) and Gavin (3). He enjoys all sports, including football, tennis, rugby and golf, and is interested in music, cinema and reading.
Mr Ger Guinan, PDFORRA Gen Sec, contributes to the discussion on the WTD
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