90 Per Cent Take-up of Flexible Work Arrangement by MDAs

Phase one of the flexible work arrangement within the public sector is almost at full implementation, with 90 per cent take-up by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) since its introduction on February 2.

Minister of Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador the Hon. Audrey Marks, made the disclosure while addressing Wednesday’s (March 25) post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House.

“We expect that the other 10 per cent, they are starting the conversations, and we expect that it will be 100 per cent [take-up] by the end of this month in terms of all government workers having the opportunity to work on a staggered basis if they so choose,” she noted.

“We are actively monitoring to ensure that what we say will be implemented is being implemented and at pace,” she added.

The flexible work programme facilities staggered hours – 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Ambassador Marks said the arrangement is “our first step, as we move towards virtual work and a four-day work week”.

“Whatever will work in the virtual space, equal to work in the physical space, is what we are implementing because, as you know, if another disaster strikes, we want to make sure that our government services can stand up in the digital space. I call it a digital twin to our physical services,” she stated.

In 2014, Jamaica introduced the Employment Flexible Work Arrangements Miscellaneous Provisions Act, which established a legal framework for flexible work arrangements.

The law strikes a careful and necessary balance, supporting worker well-being while maintaining service standards and organisational performance.

It facilitates options such as staggered working hours, hybrid work, telecommuting, compressed work week and banking of hours.