The Government of Jamaica took the bold step of incorporating flexible work arrangements in the public sector, after over a decade since passing legislation that created the policy framework in the local labour market.

On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Minister of Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation Ambassador Audrey Marks led the launch of flexible work arrangements in the public sector, describing the “national initiative” as a collaborative effort.

“This represents an important and deliberate step in Jamaica’s ongoing Public Sector Transformation Programme (PSPT). One that is designed to build a public service that is more efficient, more accountable, more customer-focused and better equipped to meet the needs of a modern Jamaica,” she outlined.

According to Minister Marks, the concept of flexible work arrangements in Jamaica started to take shape long before the tabling and passage of the Employment (Flexible Work Arrangements) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2014. The introduction of the legislation was in response to the “growing recognition that traditional, rigid work models were no longer fully aligned with changing technologies, workforce expectations or global best practices”.

Flexibility in the workplace became even more necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic when both public- and private-sector entities had to adapt quickly to remote and hybrid work environments.

“What emerged from that experience was a powerful lesson: Productivity is driven by outcomes, not just physical presence,” Minister Marks added.

Relating a situation in which she had two appointments on the same day but was unable to fulfil both due to getting caught in traffic, the minister said she proposed to the Cabinet introducing flexible work as a policy. However, she learnt that the legal framework already existed but was not being fully utilised.

Highlighting the benefit of the legislation, Minister Marks said it “strikes a careful and necessary balance” between employees’ well-being and maintaining service standards and operational performance.

 “This law involves options which include standard working hours, hybrid work, telecommuting, compressed workweeks, and banking of hours,” she continued.

The launch, Minister Marks noted, underscores the Government’s commitment to move beyond policy into systematic implementation, beginning with the public sector. She added that the flexible work arrangement supports PSPT, especially its focus on improving service delivery, strengthening performance management and modernising human resource systems.

“Under the PSPT, we’re shifting from a process-driven public service to a results-oriented one. Flexible work arrangements reinforce this shift by encouraging managers to focus on outputs, service quality and accountability, rather than hours spent in the office,” the minister shared.

“This is fully consistent with the emphasis on performance-based management and continuous improvement. For public sector employees, flexible work arrangements offer tangible benefits. They promote better work-life balance…reduce commuting cost and time, [and] support mental and physical well-being,” Ambassador Marks further stated.

As a result, she asserted, a healthier, more engaged and motivated workforce is far better at providing high-quality services. On the other hand, the Government is better positioned to hire and retain talent, improve employee morale, and optimise the allocation of human and physical resources.

The minister explained that the initiative supports other PSPT reforms such as digital government initiatives, the use of shared services and the modernisation of business processes, enabled by digital tools and clearer performance metrics.

She clarified that a flexible working hours regime requires strong leadership, clear expectations, measurable performance standards, and effective supervision.

“As the Government of Jamaica moves forward to implement the various phases of this national initiative, guidance, training and change management support will be central to ensure that managers and employees are equipped to operate successfully in flexible work environments,” Minister Marks stated.

“Today’s launch, therefore, represents more than a workplace policy announcement. It’s a signal of how seriously the Government is taking public sector modernisation. It reflects our commitment to building a public service that is agile, resilient, and capable of delivering value to citizens in a rapidly changing world,” she continued.