Civil servants will now be able to work remotely during emergencies under new amendments to the Civil Service Regulation introduced by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
The changes, brought through the 19th Amendment to the Civil Service Regulation, establish a framework allowing eligible government employees to continue carrying out their duties from outside the workplace when emergency situations prevent them from reporting to the office.
Under the revised regulation, employees seeking permission to work remotely must submit a formal request supported by documentation issued by a health professional registered with the Ministry of Health or by a recognised healthcare institution in the country where the document is obtained.
The CSC said remote working arrangements will only be approved for positions where official duties can be effectively performed away from the workplace. Government institutions are also required to ensure employees have access to the necessary equipment, technology and a suitable working environment before remote work is authorised.
In addition, agencies must assign appropriate tasks to employees working remotely and monitor their performance to ensure public services continue without disruption.
Employees granted approval to work from home or another remote location will be required to sign an agreement with their employer outlining the terms of the arrangement. The agreement will include provisions related to the protection of confidential government information and the proper handling of official documents while working outside the office.
The amended regulation also states that employees must report to their workplace whenever instructed by their employer, even if they have been granted remote work approval. Government institutions will have the authority to revoke the arrangement if an employee fails to perform their duties satisfactorily or does not comply with the agreed conditions.
However, the new provisions will not apply to all civil servants. Positions that require a physical presence at the workplace—including teachers, nurses and senior management officials—have been excluded from the remote work framework due to the nature of their responsibilities.
The amendment comes as governments worldwide continue to formalise flexible working arrangements introduced in recent years, with many public institutions adopting policies aimed at ensuring continuity of public services during emergencies while maintaining accountability and operational efficiency.
