The Ministerial Council has given the green light to new flexible work policies for public sector employees. The decision, made on August 30, 2023, is in line with the 2021-2026 Recovery and Resilience Plan and aims to improve both operational efficiency and work-life balance.

Recent experiences from the global pandemic have underscored the need for more adaptive employment practices. The new policy seeks to revamp the public sector by encouraging a more balanced approach to work, fostering a more supportive work environment, and offering greater employment flexibility.

Key provisions include:

• Mixed Teleworking: Employees will have the option to telecommute for part of the week or for specific periods when it serves an operational need.

• Reduced Employment Hours: Workers may opt for a workday shortened by up to 2 hours, with a corresponding salary adjustment.

• Extended Flexible Hours: The window for flexible work hours will be expanded from 1½ to 2 hours, offering employees more freedom to manage their work schedules.

The implementation plan is set to roll out by the end of 2024 and will involve several strategic steps:

1. Upgrading and adapting electronic systems to support remote work.

2. Creating comprehensive teleworking guidelines.

3. Offering specialized training programs to acclimate employees to the new work modalities.

4. Utilizing modern electronic systems for accurately recording work hours, thus supporting reduced and flexible schedules.

The public sector’s move is concurrent with the Ministry of Labor’s initiative to create similar regulations in the private sector, signaling a comprehensive shift towards more flexible employment across the board.