November 2013Steven Foulston Technical Department Working Time model Royal Opera House Covent Garden

November 2013Steven Foulston UK Legal framework Working Time Regulations (1998) –48 working hours averaged over a 17 week period (Individuals can agree to work more, with no penalty to the employer) –1day off in 6 days, or 2 consecutive days off in 14. –11 hour overnight break –20 minute break per 6 hours worked. –Minimum 5.6 weeks paid annual leave. –Special rules for young people, pregnant women and overnight workers.

November 2013Steven Foulston Team Structure – Technical Stage Covent Garden is a rep house, at least 7 shows in rehearsal/on stage at any one time. Daily Teams – Blue and Red shift – 30 per team (Electrics/Stage/Props/Flys) Project Teams - one team allocated to Front each show - 4 teams, 7 per team. (Electrics/Stage/Props) Build crew – 1 team, 6 staff (set construction/dismantle/transport to storage warehouse)

November 2013Steven Foulston Daily Team work pattern Red Shift: SunMonTueWedThurFriSatSunMonTueWedThurFriSatSunMon On OffOnOffOnOff OnOffOnOffOn Blue Shift: SunMonTueWedThurFriSatSunMonTueWedThurFriSatSunMon Off OnOffOnOffOn OffOnOffOnOff Annualised Hours contract – 2496 hours per annum Equates to 48 hours per week Alternating shifts – 15 hours duration between 7.30am – 11.30

November 2013Steven Foulston Project Team work pattern Work follows the rehearsal/performance schedule. Hence general working hours are known up to a year in advance, but actual working times are notified the previous week. General rules: –Annualised Hours contract – 2496 hours per annum –Equates to 48 hours per week –Working window 7.30am – 11.30, maximum 15 hours per shift. –A maximum of 280 hours can be worked during a four-week period –A minimum, if called, of four hours on any working day –There must be a minimum rest period of not less than 11 hours between calls.

November 2013Steven Foulston Set Building team Same rules apply as per Project Team, but in practice, the team regularly work a Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm pattern.

November 2013Steven Foulston Issues/challenges 15 hour shift system is physically demanding, especially for older staff/those with medical conditions. 15 hour shift system is technically outlawed under the Working Time Regulations. However the Regulations allow a derogation by collective agreement. The arrangement is currently popular with staff, however there is a business risk, as they may collectively give 3 months notice to withdraw. In which case we would need to rethink our working model.