Bahrain civil service bureau caps office attendance at 50% under revised remote work policy
The Civil Service Bureau of Bahrain has announced a revised remote work policy, limiting physical attendance in government offices to no more than 50% of employees starting April 5 until further notice. The move aims to balance operational efficiency with employee safety and overall preparedness.
Under the new directive, all government entities must implement flexible work arrangements to ensure that only half of their workforce is present in offices at any given time. The remaining employees will continue their duties remotely using digital systems and established work-from-home frameworks.
The policy includes exceptions for roles that require physical presence. Employees engaged in essential services, field operations, or tasks that cannot be performed remotely will continue to work on-site as needed. Authorities emphasized that such cases should be carefully managed to maintain efficiency while ensuring safety.
Government entities have been instructed to ensure uninterrupted business operations while implementing the updated policy. This includes maintaining service delivery standards, adapting workflows where necessary, and being prepared to respond to any changes or emergencies.
Strict compliance with safety and emergency guidelines is also mandatory. Organizations must ensure that workplaces follow approved health and safety measures to provide a secure environment for employees who are required to be physically present.
In addition, all entities must coordinate closely with relevant authorities to stay aligned with official directives and respond promptly to any developments. This coordinated approach is intended to strengthen resilience across the public sector.
To monitor compliance and readiness, government bodies are required to submit weekly reports detailing workforce distribution, operational status, and adherence to the policy. These reports will help authorities assess implementation and ensure consistency across all entities.
The updated policy reflects Bahrain’s continued shift toward a hybrid work model, combining remote and in-office operations to maintain productivity while prioritizing employee well-being and service continuity.