600,000 government employees in Saudi Arabia return to offices

Abu Dhabi: More than 600,000 government employees will return to their offices Sunday, after six months of working from home, local media reported.

Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced that all public sector employees will return to workplaces starting from August 30, but flexible working hours and work from home for up to 25 per cent of workers will continue.

An official source at the ministry said after reviewing the health indicators across the Kingdom, a decision was taken that all public sector employees will return to offices as of Sunday, August 30, with commitment to apply health protocols in workplaces to stem the spread of COVID-19.

However, the source said, heads of entities have the authority to apply remote work for a number of employees, provided that the following conditions are complied with:

(i)The percentage of those working remotely should not exceed 25 per cent of the entity’s employees.

(ii) Enabling those who work remotely to perform their duties by the government agency.

(iii) Groups most at risk of infection to continue to work remotely.

(iv) Flexible working hours to continue (7.30am - 8.30am - 9.30am).

(v): Continued suspension of biometric clocks which require employees to punch in and out using a fingerprint.

The source stressed the need to adhere to the application of preventive protocols in workplaces published on the website of the National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, tweeted, “On Sunday, August 30, all public sector employees will return to workplaces with a commitment to implementing preventive protocols, for our safety and for the safety of our homeland.”