Thiruvananthapuram: Government offices in Kerala may soon see a shift in their weekly schedule, with authorities considering a five-day workweek while extending daily office hours. The proposal, drawing on recommendations from the Administrative Reforms Commission and the Pay Reforms Commission, aims to give employees both Saturdays and Sundays off.
Currently, government offices operate seven hours a day, with city offices running from 10:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and offices in other regions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Under the new plan, working hours would be extended, meaning offices might open as early as 9:15 or 9:30 a.m. and close around 5:30 to 5:45 p.m.
Earlier proposals suggested making only the second and fourth Saturdays of the month holidays, but objections arose from service organizations, particularly regarding potential reductions in casual leave. The latest approach seeks to balance employee welfare with operational efficiency, giving staff a full two-day weekend while ensuring work output is maintained.
A meeting of government service organization representatives has been scheduled to discuss the proposal in detail. It will be held on September 11 at the Secretariat Durbar Hall under the chairmanship of the Public Administration Secretary. Officials say the discussions will play a key role in determining whether Kerala could see a new rhythm to its government workweek.