By Eleftheria Paizanou

Copyright philenews

Civil servants who meet the criteria for reduced working hours will work six hours instead of eight under a new scheme to be introduced in the public sector.

The measure falls under flexible working arrangements that also include the extension of flexible working hours in the state machinery and the implementation of teleworking, which aim to balance professional and family life.

During yesterday’s discussion at the parliamentary Finance Committee on the relevant regulations amending working time in the public service, the representative of the Department of Public Administration and Personnel (DPAP), Maria Kleanthous, said the reduced hours would range between one-and-a-half to two hours per day.

Salary reduced proportionally but pension benefits calculated on full pay

She noted that those working reduced hours would have both their salary and 13th salary reduced proportionally. However, she clarified that an employee’s employment with reduced hours does not affect their service for the purposes of promotion, scaling of annual leave, increments, 13th salary and pension benefits.

Additionally, she noted that employees’ pension benefits will be calculated based on their full monthly pensionable emoluments to safeguard their right to full pension benefits.

Parents, carers and employees with disabilities eligible for reduced hours

Those entitled to reduced employment are employees covered by the law on leave, paternity, parental leave and care, namely those who are parents of children up to 15 years old; carers, namely employees who provide personal care or support to a relative or person residing in the same household as the employee, who needs significant care or support for a serious medical reason; and employees with disabilities or serious health problems, who must first submit a medical certificate documenting that they are unable to work full-time.

For government employees working a six-day week or with special hours, the reduced employment will be arranged with appropriate planning, in consultation with the head of department, so that the hours of reduced employment will not exceed the number of reduced employment hours of employees with a five-day working week on a monthly basis, as determined by the Ministry of Finance.

According to the DPAP representative, reduced employment is voluntary. She also noted that even today a number of employees had requested reduced hours with a corresponding reduction in emoluments; however, this could not be implemented as the legal framework did not permit it. This resulted, she said, in many employees taking leave.

Flexible working hours extended to two hours from January 2026

Beyond the reduction in working hours, flexible working hours are being extended from one-and-a-half hours currently to two hours, with working hours set at 7am/9am to 2.30pm/4.30pm.

As stated in parliament, the government aims to implement the two measures on 1st January 2026. PASYDY and ISOTITA supported the regulations.

Regarding the remote working bill in the public sector, the issue of responsibility in relation to safety and health during teleworking remains pending, namely whether the employer or employee is liable in case of an accident during remote working.

A representative of the Ministry of Finance said the employee must have a suitable space for teleworking, adding that a text with instructions regarding safety and health to prevent accidents will be provided.

According to the ministry representative, the Labour Inspection Department was asked to include measures for safety and health. MPs expressed reservations about the issue of non-determination of liability and wondered whether inspections should be carried out in the places where employees will work remotely. It is recalled that they will only be able to telework from their place of residence.

Responding to MPs’ reservations, the Ministry of Finance representative said the employer has the responsibility, whether employees work from home or in the office.

“To safeguard the interest of the public service, we will call on civil servants to comply with protection measures. In case of an accident, the Labour Inspection Department will inspect,” she added. She explained that if the accident happens in the kitchen, the employee will be at fault.

Committee members called on the Ministry of Finance to submit a study on what applies in other countries.