The government has reduced weekly working hours for non-office staff to 45 hours and improved overtime claim guidelines under the new SSPA system
PUTRAJAYA: The government has implemented several improvements to working hours and overtime allowance claims following the launch of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA).
The new rules, which came into force on December 1, are detailed in a circular issued by Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
Weekly working hours for officers under the Non-Office Working Hours category have been reduced by one hour to 45 hours per week, including break time.
This brings their schedule in line with standard Office Working Hours.
The directive was issued in a circular dated December 18 and shared via the Public Service Department’s Facebook page.
It has been sent to State Public Services, Statutory Bodies and Local Authorities for implementation.
“As guidance for ministries/departments/agencies, an implementation guideline on overtime allowance claims has been prepared,” the circular stated.
An accompanying circular has also been amended in line with these improvements.
Officers under the non-office category are also given flexibility in calculating their weekly hours.
The total of 45 hours a week may be fulfilled on average over four consecutive weeks if hours in any particular week fall short.
“For officers who work more than 45 hours a week, or 45 hours on average over four consecutive weeks, they are eligible to receive overtime allowances according to the prescribed conditions and rates,” Wan Ahmad Dahlan said.
