Thirty-two Government entities have so far implemented some aspects of flexible work arrangements and the Administration is encouraging others to get on board.

This was revealed by minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation Ambassador Audrey Marks at Thursday’s launch of the ‘Implementation of the Flexible Work Arrangement within the Public Sector’ which has already won support from one of the country’s prominent trade unions.

Marks described the launch as “a national initiative” that represents an “important and deliberate step in Jamaica’s ongoing public sector transformation programme”.

“The programme is designed to build a public service that is more efficient, more accountable, more customer-focused and better equipped to meet the needs of a modern Jamaica,” Marks said, adding that the feedback has been positive.

Full implementation begins on February 2 on a phased basis, commencing with staggered working hours. However, Marks emphasised that the traditional working hours of 8:30 am-5:00 pm in the public service will remain available to all employees.

“The implementation of staggered working hours is not mandatory; however, it is strongly encouraged,” she said, adding that, given the nature of employees’ duties, staggered working hours may not be available to all categories of staff.

Marks said she was already looking forward to the implementation of other aspects of the programme.

“Flexible work arrangements, as a national initiative, is a catalyst for modern systems, empowered people, and better outcomes for Jamaica. By embracing flexibility, we are investing in productivity, efficiency, and future readiness of our public service,” Marks said.

She acknowledged that many private sector entities have already introduced flexible work arrangements and committed to meeting with the leadership of the Private Sector Oraganisation of Jamaica in the coming weeks with a view to having total adoption across the sector.

The minister also acknowledged that the idea of flexible work arrangements has been evolving in Jamaica for several years. She cited that this took on a sense of urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic “when public and private sector entities alike were required to adapt quickly to remote and hybrid work environments”.

“What emerged from that experience was a powerful lesson — productivity is driven by outcome, not just physical presence,” she stated.

Marks also noted that in 2014, Jamaica introduced the Employment Flexible Work Arrangements Miscellaneous Provisions Act which established the legal framework for flexible work arrangements.

Despite most of its provisions not being implemented, Marks pointed out that the law outlines options such as standard working hours, hybrid work, telecommuting, compressed work week and banking of hours.

“I was amazed to know that these were already in place but some were not being fully utilised, so that’s when we got to work to look at how we can have the full implementation of this Act”.

Marks said the launch signals the Government’s intention to move beyond policy into systematic implementation, starting with the public sector. She said that for public sector employees, flexiwork arrangements promote better work-life balance, reduce commuting cost and time and support mental and physical well-being.

“A workforce that is healthier, more engaged and more motivated is better positioned to deliver high quality public services,” she argued.

For the Government, she said flexiwork arrangements “enhances our ability to attract and retain talent, improve staff morale and optimise the use of public resources”.

Meanwhile, president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) St Patrice Ennis, in his remarks, said the launch “represents a timely and important step in modernising Jamaica’s world of work”.

“It reflects a growing understanding that productivity, service delivery and worker well-being are not competing goals but complimentary ones,” he said.

Ennis said the JCTU was in support of the Government’s decision to implement flexible work arrangements as a national initiative, beginning with staggered working hours across the public sector. The approach, he said, “recognises the daily realities faced by workers, including the long commutes, transportation cost, family responsibilities and the need for greater resilience in an increasingly uncertain environment”.

The trade unionist cautioned that flexibility must never mean insecurity.

“Flexible work arrangements must enhance work, not erode rights. They must not be used to weaken terms and conditions of employment, bypass collective bargaining or impose unilateral changes without consultation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has prepared guidelines on how the arrangements should work, with consideration for core working hours. Implementation oversight will be executed by Ambassador Marks’s office, in collaboration with the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.