New flexible working rules introduced for civil servants in Cyprus
The measures approved by the Council of Ministers on Thursday and presented to Parliament aim to modernize civil service operations and improve the work-life balance of civil servants.
According to the new rules, civil servants may reduce their working hours by two hours per day if they are parents of children under 15, caregivers supporting relatives or family members, or employees with disabilities or serious illnesses.
The flexible working system has been extended from the current 1.5 hours to two hours, and the public service working hours have been adjusted to 7:00-9:00 and 14:30-16:30. Authorities expect these changes to help reduce traffic congestion by spreading out commuting times.
Employees choosing reduced hours will receive proportionally adjusted salaries and 13th salary, although this measure will not affect seniority for promotion, leave, allowances, or pension entitlements.
The rules were adopted under a decision made in August 2023 and require all government departments to establish electronic timekeeping systems by September 1, when the new schedules come into effect.
Employees with health issues must provide medical certificates proving their inability to work full time. Eligible staff may arrive later, leave earlier, or combine both options.
The Ministry of Finance has announced the approval of remote work in Cyprus's public service, specifically hybrid remote work, allowing employees to work from home on certain days.
The right to remote work depends on whether an employee’s duties can be performed remotely based on their nature and required technologies, as determined by department heads.
The Public Administration and Personnel Department, in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology Services, has prepared implementation guidelines to be distributed following the adoption of the law by Parliament.
