Pretoria: Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya announced findings of a study on hybrid work arrangements in the Public Service, revealing that 55% of departments have yet to establish hybrid work policies, while 24% have adopted post-COVID policies.

According to South African Government News Agency, Gxoyiya highlighted that the PSC’s research aimed to provide insights into the effectiveness of hybrid work arrangements and to inform future policies within the Public Service. Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, Gxoyiya explained that the study initially assessed six service delivery departments to draw lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic’s shift to alternative working arrangements. The extended study gathered responses from 38 national departments and government components.

The Western Cape Provincial Government’s guide, developed from the Telecommuting Hybrid Model, has been instrumental in shaping policies in various provincial departments. Gxoyiya pointed out that while hybrid work arrangements offer benefits such as cost savings, improved work-life balance, talent attraction, and job satisfaction, the public service is trailing in implementing these arrangements.

Gxoyiya suggested that the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) finalize a proposed transversal guide or framework. This framework, informed by lessons from departments already implementing hybrid work policies and international benchmarks, can aid other departments in developing their policies, ensuring consistency across the Public Service.

Furthermore, Gxoyiya recommended the DPSA, in collaboration with the Department of Employment and Labour, to develop a comprehensive work-from-home toolkit. This toolkit would guide how employees and processes should be managed remotely. He also emphasized the importance of departments formulating human resource development strategies aligned with DPSA guidelines to ensure effective employee onboarding, induction, and skills transfer. Moreover, Gxoyiya urged the Public Service to embrace technology and explore cost-effective ways to automate and digitize processes to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency.

Gxoyiya also advocated for the Public Service, under the leadership of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, to promote efficient use of facilities in sourcing office space. By sharing office space, departments could reduce accommodation needs and release available state properties for repurposing into accommodation for students, pensioners, and low-income earners.

Lastly, Gxoyiya emphasized the need for government departments to ensure a safe working environment, even in remote settings, while limiting employer exposure to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) responsibilities.