The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has amended the civil service regulation to allow parents of persons with disabilities to work from home, effective 1 March.
The change follows a commitment made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in this year’s Presidential Address, emphasising support for civil servants balancing caregiving responsibilities with professional duties.
Under the revised guidelines, guardians or parents of individuals with disabilities who require daily assistance will now be permitted to carry out their official duties remotely, without the requirement to physically report to the office.
To qualify, employees must submit a medical certification from a licensed healthcare provider confirming that the person with a disability requires substantial or moderate support in activities of daily living. The regulation categorises eligibility into three levels based on the degree of assistance needed, with full remote work privileges granted to those caring for individuals who essentially require constant support.
Additionally, the amendment introduces a one-hour “buffer time” to accommodate unforeseen caregiving needs, allowing eligible employees to arrive at the workplace up to an hour after scheduled office hours, with working hours adjusted accordingly.
The Commission emphasised that remote work must be approved only after ensuring that duties can be effectively performed from home along with a suitable work environment.