Malta Launches Four-Day Working Week Option For Public Officers But No Reduction In 40 Hours
Public officers in Malta will soon be able to request a four-day working week, but without actually reducing their hours.
Launched today by the Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary, the ‘Flexi-Week’ scheme will allow public officers to request a four-day work week and spread their hours accordingly.
Therefore, rather than working five eight-hour long shifts a week, they will be able to work four ten-hour shifts. And while this isn’t the same principle as the four-day workweek, which allows workers to actually reduce their hours, it will grant workers a new degree of flexibility.
For example, a worker who wants to take a long weekend will be able to do so without having to book a day of leave.
Alternatively, public officers will be able to spread their hours over a six-day week.
Such a measure, which was originally proposed by the General Workers’ Union last year, has been introduced among other modern work practices within the public service.
The Reduced Hours system has been amended to allow public officers to apply for reduced hours without eligibility criteria, as long as work service and prioritisation permit. Flexitime will be introduced, enabling public officers to adjust their working hours up to two hours before or after established hours.
Remote Working will replace Telework arrangements, with public officers benefiting from a family-friendly eligibility criteria and the possibility of working remotely for up to 20% of their hours without any eligibility criteria.
These changes will take effect on 3rd April, with a transition period lasting until 15th June.
Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana said this is the initial phase of a modernisation process to provide public officers with more flexibility and less bureaucracy while maintaining accountability, structure, and efficiency.
Do you think these practices will promote a better work-life balance?