The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB) has stressed that the Cabinet approval of the flexible and remote working schedule at government entities that will be implemented from September 24, would reflect positively on the work environment and would eventually enhance the productivity of government employees.
Through a number of posts on its official account, the CGB pointed out that this system would give bigger opportunities for employees to maintain effective balance between their family life and their jobs. Besides, it would give working mothers and the persons with special needs an excellent opportunity to accommodate for their particular needs without undermining their employment future or status.
The CGB pointed out the flexible work system will have seven working hours a day that start from 7am until 2pm. However, the employee can come to work as early as 6:30am or as late as 8:30 and then complete the official seven working hours before the end of the work day. This will not be applicable for the employees working in shifts or those working at certain entities where the application of the system cannot be implemented due to the nature of work or its requirements.
Yaqub Saleh al-Ishaq, director of Civil Service Affairs at CGB, said that the CGB initiative to launch the flexible working hours system is there to create a positive work environment, especially for families and mothers. He told Qatar TV that previously CGB gave Qatari mother employees the opportunity to benefit of this system during the school exams period and the system was very successful in its experimental phase based on the opinions of the government employees themselves through multiple questionnaires on the issue.
Further, this flexible working hours gives employees the opportunity to avoid reporting late for their work while taking care of their families and personal affairs. He said that the new system, when officially launched, would be applicable for government employees from Qataris and non-Qataris alike.
For those allowed to work remotely, each employee could be allowed to work remotely from home for one week a year, but for Qatari female employees that have children less than 12 years old could be allowed to work remotely from home for one month a year. He said that this is the initial plan, but in future such regulations and rules would be amended according to the practical outcomes in future.
In the meantime, Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak al-Khalifa. President of CGB, stressed that this new flexible work system is considered a significant step towards providing a flexible work environment for the employees that responds to the demands of professional and family life, and contribute to achieving institutional excellence.
