GSFC-GESTA Collective Bargaining Agreement
Article 10 Workweek and Tour of Duty
SECTION 10.01 Each pay period consists of 80 hours for full-time employees established Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Work schedules will include a daily core period of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and include a non-work lunch period of 30 - 90 minutes between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Arrival times may be established at 15 minute intervals starting at 6:00 a.m.
SECTION 10.02 The basic work schedule is a flexitour consisting of:
a. two 40-hour workweeks; and
b. five 8-hour days.
The employee, with supervisory approval, establishes the bi-weekly schedule which once established is his/her standard tour of duty. Changes to the employee's standard tour of duty requires supervisory approval. On an exception basis, approved absences during the work schedule may be made up within the same workday with supervisory approval.
SECTION 10.03 Employees may request a Flexible Work Schedule. A Flexible Work Schedule is an alternative work schedule that provides employees the flexibility to establish a work schedule within the following parameters:
a. 80 hours per pay period, a minimum of 32 hours per week and a maximum of 48 hours per week;
b. core time is 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. inclusive of lunch with a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 90 minutes;
c. a minimum of 9 core periods per pay period; and
d. the regularly scheduled workday is a minimum of 5 l/2 hours and a maximum of 10 hours excluding lunch.
The employee, with supervisory approval, establishes the bi-weekly schedule which once established is his/her standard tour of duty. Changes to this schedule require supervisory approval. On an exception basis, approved absences during the work schedule may be made up within the same pay period with supervisory approval. Within a work unit, where employees work less than 10 core periods, the supervisor will consider employee requests, work requirements, employee equity, and rotation of off days if the work situation is impacted by too many employees requesting the same off day.
When an employee is denied participation in a Flexible Work Schedule based on the work requirement, the supervisor shall provide written reasons for the denial to the employee upon request.
SECTION 10.04 Unit employees will normally be given two (2) weeks notice prior to Management's changing an employee's tour of duty. Requiring an employee to report at a given time on particular days in order to attend meetings or perform work does not constitute a change in the tour of duty.
SECTION 10.05 Time off during the employee's basic work requirement must be charged to the appropriate leave category, e.g., annual leave, sick leave, LWOP, or compensatory time. An employee may apply no more sick or annual leave than he/she is scheduled to work on that day. Holidays will be charged as 8 hours. If an employee's schedule is more or less than 8 hours on a holiday, work hours on other days or leave must account for 80 hours in the payperiod.
SECTION 10.06 Employees will certify on their time and attendance sheet the accuracy of their schedule, hours worked, and leave taken and turn them into the timekeeper. Documentation of arrival or departure times will not be entered except where they deviate from the established schedule and where work absences and make up hours are to be recorded. This system will remain in effect until an alternative method is developed and negotiated with the Union.
SECTION 10.07 It is agreed that this Article does not give a Unit employee the right to refuse to perform work when directed to do so in order to accomplish the Center's mission. Supervisors have the right to require employees to be on duty to perform work and attend meetings as necessary to carry out the mission of the organization. Employees will not be required to work hours in excess of their work schedules without adjustments or compensatory time or overtime as appropriate. In such cases, the supervisor will provide as much advance notice to the employee as possible. However, Management shall not set work requirements for the express purpose of circumventing the employee's use of the Flexible Work Schedule.
SECTION 10.08 Management has the right to terminate an employee's participation in the Flexible Work Schedule or Flexitour for cause. Such termination will require approval from the Division Chief or higher. If an employee is removed from the Flexible Work Schedule or Flexitour, he/she will be put on a standard tour of duty consisting of a regularly scheduled, 8-hour day. The employee may discuss this termination with his/her supervisor and have a GESTA representative present to assist in this discussion. If this discussion does not resolve the problem, the employee is entitled to use the Negotiated Grievance Procedure in accordance with Article 16 of this Agreement.
SECTION 10.09 Irregular tours of duty will be implemented in accordance with existing rules and regulations.
SECTION 10.10 Management will include GESTA in any study or inquiry into the workings of this Article.
SECTION 10.11 Based upon an employee's particularized need Management will consider an employee's request for part-time employment. The employee shall submit the request to the immediate supervisor with sufficient detail to describe the particularized need along with any documentation which supports the employee's request. Management will normally respond to the employee's request within thirty (30) workdays.
