Another 8,400 civil servants will migrate to a five-day week when the Government launches phase two of its five-day week scheme on January 1.

The Civil Service Bureau today said services involving the maintenance of law and order, administration of penal institutions, and provision of rescue services, will continue round the clock.

The bureaux and departments involved in the shift will ensure the overall level of service will be compensated for during weekdays, following the non-provision of services on Saturdays. Offices that close Saturdays will have their opening hours on weekdays extended.

Performance pledges

Bureaux and departments will compress their performance pledges to ensure services are delivered within the same calendar days as at present or endeavour to clear outstanding applications by each Friday.

The phase one implementation of the five-day week has been generally smooth. The quality of government services has been maintained and the public has generally accepted the arrangement.

On July 1, about 59,300 civil servants moved to a five-day week, and 16,600 to a five-day-work two-day-off roster. About 9,600 non-civil service contract staff also joined the five-day week in phase one.

Final phase

Subject to the resolution of some outstanding issues such as legislative amendments, further assessment of service utilisation patterns by bureaux and departments, it is estimated that 10,500 staff may switch to the five-day week in the final phase next July.

By that time, it may be possible for a total of 94,800 staff to work five days or shifts per week.

For details of the second phase click here. The public can also visit the five-day week website or call 1823 for more information.