President’s Office issues new WFH instructions for State sector workers

• Remote work arrangements will apply to WP and other areas vulnerable to COVID-19
• Heads of each institution to decide type of work and employees for WFH; will deliver files and equipment for this purpose
• WFH needs to be between 8.30 a.m. and 4.15 p.m., but can be flexible
• Heads of institutions have authority to re-assign employees who are not on WFH plans to institutions or task forces that require additional human resources
• Essential services to continue uninterrupted

By Chandani Kirinde

The Presidential Secretariat has issued new instructions for remote work arrangements for State sector workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The remote work arrangements will be in place in a bid to restrict public movement, particularly in the Western Province (WP).

All public institutions in the WP and other major townships are required to adopt alternative work pans to deliver essential services using the experience gained during the April-May 2020 work from home (WFH) period.

The Circular with the instructions has been issued to all secretaries of ministries, chief secretaries of provinces, district secretaries/government agents, heads of department, State corporations, statutory bodies and general managers by the President’s Secretary P.B. Jayasundera. The heads of each institution is tasked with determining the type of work that can be done remotely and the employees who will work from home, and devise a mechanism to deliver files as well as the necessary equipment to the homes of employees on WFH with proper authorisation.

The availability for WFH needs to be between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. and can be flexible, depending on the work or service requirements, unless curfew is declared.

Heads of institutions have the authority to re-assign the employees who are not on WFH plans to institutions or task forces that require additional human resources.

The Circular said that unless any medical evidence proving coronavirus symptoms has been forwarded to the institution, persons in self-isolation may be required to work from home but emphasised that no work should be carried out by an employee who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.

The Circular said that once restrictions on movement are eased in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and other vulnerable locations, they shall operate initially with only a minimum number of employees reporting to work on a rotational basis.

Other areas can operate as normal, subject to strict compliance with health requirements.

As ports and connected services, Customs, water and electricity supply, banking, etc., are recognised as essential services under the quarantine health regulations, heads of these institutions have to take appropriate measures to continue uninterrupted services, subject to compliance with health requirements.

The circular also states that all heads of institutions must enforce healthcare measures to ensure the prevention of COVID-19 in the workplace.