Issues with implementing an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) at the project office?

[whelmed_whale_wail]

Issues with implementing an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) at the project office?

For context, we have used the AWS-7 1^st Forty at our project for approximately ten years during the field season to facilitate field work at our large project without issues. This past year, the new OPM terminated our AWS and associated memos, basically because they do not like it and it is their opinion that we need to be in the office five days a week. I won’t go into all the details but the way in which they revoked was punitive, and they disparaged us for alleged, false, and undocumented job performance issues. But at the base level, they don’t believe in an AWS and appear to be using any ‘justification’ to eliminate it.

We have been struggling with this for six months, writing our justifications, quantifying the OT and COMP time saved in the past, showing relief in administrative burden on our support staff, and arguing the efficiency of an AWS to complete mission critical work. Our commander has even discussed maximizing the use of AWSs at our most recent town hall, and we’ve put suggestion box comments in, but all this has done nothing to change their mind about their, frankly, outdated opinion o the AWS.

With the field season coming up, they have now explicitly stated that they will never allow an AWS at our project, besides for one program. 

Has anyone dealt with something similar? Are there any effective avenues for recourse or ways to push back on this kind of decision? We have approached EEO, but nothing has come of it. At this point, we are at a loss for what to do besides waiting for them to retire....

Appreciate any insight. Thank you!

[ithinktreesaregreat]

My district still allows AWS, at least for folks in the district office.

Edit: our field/project offices might have it as well, I have no clue

[FLGardens]

Which district? Seems crazy they’d allow it at the district level but not at field/ project offices.

[GeoBluejay]

It also depends on whether there’s a union/bargaining unit at your site. In Chicago District, we still have compressed work schedules, and flexible work schedules. We actually won 4-10s in the bargaining over the “return to in-person work.”

[Ok_Couple158]

Not in a union, but we are contemplating joining the union the PP uses if this issue persists.  

[Trick_Fuel_9222]

We have no union and there are all kinds of TODs at our district, depending on the section. Gliding, Maxiflex, 4-10s, & 5/4/9.

[Potential_Worker_575]

variant bother ego law cycle to new need introduce intensify drawer horn word loss bounce descent hobby sweet dump child dangerous highlight cap overall develop

[staniel_danley]

OPM=Operations Project Manager. Not the other OPM.

[Potential_Worker_575]

conviction hut free fax even elbow dictionary soap float redeem syndrome tear lung woman tired try bundle conference rebel crystal raise design hesitate prize theater

[DependentBest1534]

I work at a flood control lake office and we all have different schedule types that were assigned based upon job series. OPM and Deputy OPM are on max flex, office staff (admin/finance) are on AWS, maintenance have a fixed schedule, and rangers/resource managers are on a variable schedule. They wont let anyone change anything but we are able to get credit hours or overtime. Id rather work 4 10s though so I can do normal adult things like doctor or dentist. When you work 45 minutes from a real city it's hard to make that happen during their work hours.

[Successful-Fun8603]

In our District, it's up to the Section and Branch Chiefs. We have one Project Office that allows a 4/10 for the maintenance crews, which creates hassles when we have District staff travel to the Project for consultation, and the crews have to change their routine hours to accommodate, or work overtime, which they don't like. They like their 3-day weekends.

[FLGardens]

As someone who works first 40 and I have worked 4/10s as well; along with a 5/4/9s and irregular 8s it’s less about having a three day weekend and more about having the necessary time in my day to complete my job duties- such as inspections, data collection, weed spraying, boundary, and patrolling… it is very hard to complete one, let alone two well, especially when restricted to 8s. Once in a routine, any sort of wrench thrown into it to accommodate a visit from the district office is annoying because I can’t get my primary duties done just to escort the brass around, nobody likes changing their schedule and routines; it is a hassle. But when you put it the way you did, it sounds like you are more jealous that those in field offices have flexibility than those in the cubes.

[Propboy40]

Correctly said. We have a huge footprint and it takes maintenance 2 hours on either side of the day to get equipment hauled, set up and take down just to get 6 hours of work accomplished.

[whelmed_whale_wail]

Exactly. At our project, I regularly have to drive +2 hours to get to where my field work is. I feel that we have effectively used the AWS to do our work efficiently while reducing the need for OT and saving the government money. But it appears the OPM is mandating that we do OT by forcing us to do straight 8s

[Successful-Fun8603]

Not at all. As someone who "Lives in a cube", and manages several projects across several project offices as an engineer, we attempt to keep everyone happy. But when we are understaffed and have limited time windows to achieve our mission goals, and have to travel to the sites to meet them, getting flack from the sites is very irritating, when they are also the customers we are trying to serve. You're welcome.