Question NW2324 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
02 December 2021 - NW2324
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)What is the (a) breakdown of the total number of Public Service employees currently reported to be working from home for each (i) national and (ii) provincial government department and (b) total number of (i) national and (ii) provincial departments which have implemented a hybrid system or model for work; (2) What are the relevant details of how government departments are implementing the hybrid system or model of work?
Reply:
1. The required information is not centralised and readily available as each department keeps its own register and records. Individual Departments must be approached for detailed information.
2. The DPSA issues circulars following Cabinet and National Corona Virus Command Council (NCCC) resolutions as announced by the President on the state of COVID-19 Risk Adjusted Disaster Alert Levels. These circulars are meant to guide Heads of Departments on the decongestion of workplaces by keeping the minimum numbers of employees physically on-site in order to be within safety protocols in line with Department of Health Guidelines and the Occupational Health and Safety Directions from the Department of Employment and Labour. This is achieved through rotational and remote working arrangements. Although employees work off site on certain days, they are still expected to discharge their responsibilities as if they are in the offices.
The percentage of the occupancy rate at the workplace on any particular workday is determined by the alert level at that particular time and the specific operational needs and realities of the relevant organisation.
End