The Civil Service Bureau has introduced updated working arrangements for all government departments across Bahrain, capping the number of employees required to attend offices in person at half the total workforce.
The new directive came into force on Sunday, 5 April 2026, and will continue until further notice.
Public sector entities now have the responsibility to determine which roles must be performed on site, taking into account operational needs and the delivery of essential services.
Positions involving critical field work, frontline duties, or tasks that cannot be completed remotely will still require full physical presence.
Departments have been asked to coordinate carefully when setting attendance levels to ensure smooth continuation of public services.
Alongside the attendance limits, the Bureau has reinforced the importance of emergency preparedness in all government workplaces.
Entities must strictly comply with established safety guidelines covering alarm systems, evacuation procedures, and other precautionary measures, in coordination with the General Directorate of Civil Defence.
Each ministry and authority is required to establish a dedicated team responsible for emergency coordination, deliver regular training and awareness programmes for staff, and submit weekly compliance reports to monitor progress and readiness.
This adjustment aims to maintain effective public service delivery while prioritising the health and safety of employees.
It follows previous flexible working approaches and reflects a continued focus on creating safer working environments across the public sector.
The policy is seen as a measured response that supports both operational continuity and employee wellbeing in the current context.
