Civil servants to enjoy one more early leave day on specific festivals or eves

Civil servants will be allowed to leave work early on three out of five public holidays, according to the documents submitted to the Legislative Council by the Civil Service Bureau (CSB).

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced in his Policy Address last Wednesday that new measures will be implemented to provide a family-friendly working environment for government employees.

The current policy lets civil servants leave work early for up to two hours on two of four festivals or their eves, including Lunar New Year’s Eve, Mid-Autumn Festival, Winter Solstice, and Christmas Eve.

The new initiative will enhance the arrangement by allowing civil servants to leave early for one more day in up to three of five festivals or their eves, including the addition of New Year’s Eve (Dec 31).

The measure will take effect starting in January next year, as the details are still under discussion.