Filenews 7 October 2025 - by Eleftheria Paizanou
Instead of eight hours, civil servants who fall under the criteria of reduced working hours that will be established in the public sector will work six hours.
This regulation falls under the flexible forms of work that include the extension of flexible working hours in the state machine and at the same time the implementation of the institution of teleworking, which aim to balance work and family life.
During yesterday's discussion in the Parliamentary Committee on Finance of the relevant regulations that modify the working time in the public service, the representative of the Department of Public Administration and Personnel (TSDP) Maria Kleanthous, stated that the reduced hours will range between one and a half to two hours a day.
At the same time, he noted that those who work part-time will be proportionally reduced both the amount of their salary and the amount of the 13th salary. However, he clarified that the employment of an employee with reduced hours does not affect his service for the purposes of promotion, escalation of rest leave, increase, 13th salary and pension benefits. In addition, he noted that the pension benefits of employees will be calculated based on their full monthly pensionable earnings, in order to preserve their right to full pension benefits.
Beneficiaries of reduced employment are the following:
- Employees covered by the law on Leaves, paternity, parental leave, care, i.e. those who are parents of children up to 15 years old.
- Carers, i.e. workers who provide personal care or support to a relative or person living in the same household as the worker, who is in need of significant care or support for a serious medical reason.
- Employees with disabilities or who have serious health problems. Beforehand, they will have to provide a medical certificate documenting that they are not able to work full-time.
Planning and consultation
For government employees employed with a six-day work week or with special hours, the reduced employment will be done with appropriate planning, in consultation with the head of department, so that the hours of reduced employment will not exceed the number of hours of reduced employment of employees with a five-day working week on a monthly basis, as determined by the Ministry of Finance.
According to the representative of the TSDP, the reduced employment is voluntary. At the same time, he noted that today a number of employees had requested the reduced hours with the corresponding reduction in earnings, however, it could not be implemented as the legal framework allows it. As a result, he said, many employees were taking time off.
In addition to the reduction of working hours, the flexible working hours are extended from the current one and a half hours to two hours and the configuration of the working hours to 7:00 a.m./9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m./4:30 p.m. As it was said in Parliament, the government aims to implement the two measures on January 1, 2026. PASYDY and EQUALITY were in favour of the regulations.
Who will be responsible?
In relation to the bill on teleworking in the public sector, the issue of liability in relation to safety and health during teleworking, i.e., either the employer or the employee in the event of an accident during teleworking, is pending. A spokesman for the Ministry of Finance said that the employee should have a suitable space for teleworking, adding that a text with instructions in relation to safety and health will be given to prevent accidents.
According to the ministry's spokeswoman, the Department of Labour Inspection was asked to include safety and health measures. MPs expressed reservations about the issue of not determining responsibility and wondered whether checks should be carried out in the areas where employees will telework. It is reminded that they will only be able to telework from their place of residence.
Responding to the reservations of the MPs, the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Finance stated that the responsibility lies with the employer, whether the employees work from home or in the office. "To ensure the interest of the public service, we will call on civil servants to comply with protection measures. In case of an accident, the Department of Labour Inspection will inspect," he added. He explained that if the accident happens in the kitchen, the employee will be to blame.
The members of the Finance Committee called on the Ministry of Finance to submit a study to them on what applies in other countries.
