ASPECTS OF X-FACTOR


We focused on the many aspects of Service life taken into consideration by the AFPRB when they determine X-Factor rates. Here we look at the elements of working hours, adventurous training and risk.


WORKING HOURS Figure 10:


Figure 10 shows the percentage of particitants who routinely work in excess of 50 hours per week. Further analysis of this data showed that 70% of commissioned and 36% of non-commissioned voters believed they were regularly working excessive hours (defined as more than 50 hours a week). This question attracted a huge number of comments, with many families voicing their frustrations at higher workloads, lack of resources and the negative impact on family life.


“I start work at 8am and am lucky if get home by 7pm. This is made worse by the extreme gapping of posts and the expectation to do more with less people.”


“I regularly work ‘Ops hours’ (the hours I would expect to work whilst on operations) at my home unit. 6 day weeks are not uncommon and working 60 hour weeks are also a regular occurrence.”


“If the job needs doing he stays and does it.” “Early starts, no lunch breaks and late finishes. Reason, workload.”


“Manning reductions have not been matched by any reduction in the work expected. This has been exacerbated by the restrictions on civilian recruiting that have not allowed me to recruit staff members, and again, the work doesn’t go away.”


“Recently left a front line Squadron where I worked long hours and was on call 24/7. Not complaining, really enjoyed the pace and responsibility.”


14 www.raf-ff.org.uk


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