The government has approved a draft bill allowing public sector employees to work from home for up to 100 days per year.
The bill, prepared by the Department of Public Administration, outlines the framework for remote work, including eligibility criteria, working days, and supervision.
Public sector employees who have access to service laptops and can connect to necessary information systems will be eligible to work from home. The maximum number of remote work days per year is 100, with a temporary limit of 50 for 2025 and 2026.
Remote work is voluntary and requires approval from the department head, who will also supervise employee performance and may discontinue remote work if necessary.
The government will ensure the security of official documents and information during remote work and will provide employees with the necessary equipment and software. The Cyprus Academy of Public Service will develop an online training programme for employees.
The government has already passed the bill, and remote work is expected to be implemented in early 2025.
The trade union “Isotita” has submitted nine suggestions to the Department of Public Administration to improve the bill, including strengthening employees’ right to disconnect from electronic applications outside of regular working hours, objectifying the discontinuation of remote work, increasing the maximum limit of remote work days to 150 per year, and guaranteeing equal treatment and prohibiting discrimination.
The government has considered these suggestions and incorporated some of them into the final version of the bill.
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