Update November 2024
ROSTER REVIEWS
Throughout 2024, Bupa reviewed rosters in over 19 care homes.
They created schedules requiring workers to cover all shifts and days, often with a pattern of 4 days on and 2 days off. This has reduced hours for many and made it hard to manage personal commitments.
E tū and NZNO members have been fighting these changes, but Bupa has largely ignored their feedback. It’s likely this will continue across all sites.
Non-members need to join a union to stand together. All workers can join E tū, while NZNO specialises in RNs.
WHAT DOES THE COLLECTIVE SAY?
CONSULTATION
Clause 47 in your Collective Agreement (CA) covers consultation.
Bupa must advise and consult with affected employees and their unions about significant changes. They must provide relevant information and allow at least one working week for a response.
Both union have requested more time to consult with members and in some cases Bupa has declined this.
HOURS OF WORK
Clause 22 covers your hours of work.
The clause explains Bupa aims to provide certainty and maximize core hours.
Full-time employees are guaranteed an average of 32 hours per week over the roster, while part-time employees are guaranteed less than 32 hours.
Employees can request additional hours, up to 37 per week, if operationally feasible. Bupa must provide reasons in writing if they decline a request for more hours.
It is important to check your original letter of offer and understand how many hours you were employed for and if there is any fixed roster.
If you have personal commitments outside of Bupa you will need to know how this may impact on those.
ROSTERING
Clause 23 explains rostering. Employees will be scheduled for shifts covering a 24/7 period and may be rotated. Bupa can change rosters to meet business needs, in consultation with employees.
Essentially Bupa appears to be implementing some element of the roster review across all their care homes.
We are aware some sites have already been told to expect this in the New Year, although this has not been confirmed by Bupa to the union’s.
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
Organise and stand together. If you are not in a union member then you are going to be alone, without guidance or support.
Union members refused to attend a meeting because the Operations Manager wasn’t present, which they found disrespectful. Support each other and ask for union organiser presence at every meeting.
Think about what you can do together and support each other with your feedback. Please call us if you have questions and if your care home has a roster review meeting and there is no union official present ask your manager why and tell them you want us there.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Bupa’s policy requires a risk assessment for any role changes. Ask for these assessments for current and new rosters.
SURVEY
E tū has a survey to review your core hours and the impact of roster changes.
Fill it out to ensure fair treatment.
Please click here to complete the survey.
TRANSFORMING CARE
E tū released a report into the wider care sector making recommendations for the sector.
Bupa’s roster changes show a lack of recognition for workers’ lives outside of work.
Transforming Care campaign includes winning pay equity as well as overhauling the way care is funded, and a health and safety focus, particularly on staffing levels.
Want to read the report? Click here
Look out for more information in the New Year and encourage your colleagues to join E tū.