Fire service call for a review on home working
HM Fire Service Inspectorate (HMFSI) have told Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) to 'evaluate' the impact of flexible working after a recent probe.
The news comes amid ongoing concerns about the impact of remote working within UK fire services and the potential impact on emergency response times during the post pandemic rise in hybrid working for office-based staff.
Uniformed firefighters told of feeling undervalued and hardly ever seeing senior officers during a recent investigation into the organisational culture within the Scots emergency service.
All SFRS personnel, including flexi duty officers (FDOs) and station commanders, are entitled to work from home under rules brought in during the Covid pandemic.
FDOs are a key part of the senior officer cadre and provide operational cover and support 24 hours a day. They manage service delivery, fire safety, prevention and training as well as responding to incidents, offering tactical support and advice based on their specialist skills.
After listening to criticism the watchdog has now recommended SFRS 'evaluate the impact of home working'.
Their report says: 'There was a strong desire for more visible leadership within uniformed staff. Many stated that a lack of visible leadership and interaction contributed to not feeling valued.
'They stated that it felt that their importance was diminished by virtue of individuals prioritising other work over interaction with them.
'We believe that this lack of visible leadership is influenced by post Covid pandemic working patterns where some FDOs continue to work from home.'
Inspectors accepted there were 'undoubted benefits' from home working but said SFRS should focus on the 'relationship between middle managers and fire station-based personnel' with a view to 'increasing leadership visibility and interaction'.
Their report said: 'We acknowledge the flexibility that working from home or hybrid working offers staff, we are also of the view that for some staff groups, particularly support staff, home working is popular.'
It stressed 'visible leadership plays a crucial part' in ensuring the workforce has an accurate and up-to-date understanding of priorities.
The report adds: 'We recommend that the Service evaluates the impact of home working, particularly on the relationship between middle managers and fire station-based personnel, with a view to increasing leadership visibility and interaction.'
SFRS were unable to confirm how many personnel were working from home. They say, however, their 'Agile Working Framework' enables staff to consider along with line managers 'how, when and where they can work and still achieve the best outcomes'.
There are increasing concerns over Scotland being divided in a 'two tier workforce' as office staff and managers benefit from stay-at-home working while frontline staff such as police, nurses, retail workers, doctors, transport, social care and construction workers are unable to enjoy the same perks such as savings on commuting costs, meals and work attire.
When asked how home working applied to frontline firefighters, a spokesperson said: 'Wholetime firefighters can access flexible working options that are most suitable while maintaining their operational capability, including job sharing or working different shift patterns.'
Sarah O'Donnell, SFRS Deputy Chief Officer, said: 'We welcome the HMFSI volume one report into organisational culture within SFRS.
'We are currently developing an action plan to address the recommendations made in the report.'
She added: 'Work is already underway to help us understand our culture to ensure it aligns with our values and provides a safe and positive environment for everyone who works here.'
PHOTO ©2021 The Edinburgh Reporter
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