Flexible Working Rights for Civil Servants

A New Era in Civil Service: Part-Time Working Rights

The doors to a significant transformation are opening in Turkey's public administration. With the new regulation published in the Official Gazette, civil servants have been granted the right to work part-time. This step is regarded as a reflection of modern public personnel management principles and stands out as a critical development aimed at helping civil servants achieve work-life balance. As flexible working models become widespread globally, Turkey's steps in this area aim to both increase employee satisfaction and maintain the efficiency of public services.

Scope and Purpose of the Part-Time Working Regulation

The new regulation offers civil servants who meet certain conditions the opportunity to work half of their normal working hours. This regulation particularly aims to facilitate the participation in working life for individuals with special circumstances, such as civil servants with children, those caring for a disabled relative, or those with specific health conditions. Instead of the limitations imposed by the traditional full-time working model, a more flexible structure is offered, allowing civil servants to fulfill their personal and family responsibilities more easily. This approach aims to prevent a decline in the quality of public services while encouraging skilled labor to remain in the public sector.

The introduction of part-time working rights not only provides individual benefits but also has the potential to transform the human resources management strategies of public institutions. By properly managing this flexibility, institutions can increase employee loyalty, reduce absenteeism rates, and even gain an advantage in attracting talent in specific areas of expertise. While the regulation aims to contribute positively to overall work efficiency by boosting civil servants' motivation, it also stipulates that necessary measures must be taken to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of public services.

Flexibility and Social Benefits in Public Administration

This new regulation is seen as part of Turkey's effort to bring its public administration up to contemporary standards. Flexible working models are of great importance, especially in supporting women's participation in the workforce and enabling them to fulfill family responsibilities without having to interrupt their careers. For civil servants who struggle with full-time work due to responsibilities such as childcare, elderly care, or caring for disabled individuals, this right will both enhance their personal well-being and prevent the loss of their experience and knowledge within the public sector.

Many developed countries internationally have long implemented flexible working models in the public sector. Turkey's step in this direction reflects its vision to adapt to global trends and improve the quality of life for public employees. Such regulations contribute not only to the well-being of employees but also to the overall welfare of society. Happier and more balanced employees will be more committed to their jobs, which will directly reflect on the quality of public services. Of course, it should not be forgotten that internal planning and coordination are of great importance for this system to function effectively.

This regulation, published in the Official Gazette, is a significant step towards flexibility and modernization in civil service. While the aim is for the public personnel system to achieve a more humane and contemporary structure, ensuring the continuous and efficient delivery of public services remains a fundamental priority. This regulation is expected to have positive effects on the motivation and work-life balance of public employees in the coming period.

Highlights

• Civil servants have been granted the right to part-time work via the Official Gazette.
• The regulation specifically covers civil servants who have children, are caring for a disabled relative, or have specific health conditions.
• The aim is to improve civil servants' work-life balance and retain skilled labor in public services.
• The new model targets flexibility and modernization in public administration.
• The implementation is expected to increase civil servant motivation and the quality of public services.