Civil servants in Northern Ireland will be required to spend at least two days a week in the office from next month under a revised hybrid working policy.
The updated guidance, set to take effect in September 2025, mandates that Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) staff spend at least 40% of their contractual working hours in their designated workplace each week. This policy applies across all NICS departments.
The Nipsa trade union has voiced strong opposition to the change, urging that flexibility be maintained, particularly for staff with disabilities or those requiring adjustments for personal reasons. The union has argued for a delay to allow for proper preparation and clear communication of the policy.
Union leaders have stated that current hybrid arrangements are already meeting business needs while supporting work-life balance. They have also raised concerns over office accommodation constraints in certain locations, warning that increased attendance could prove impractical.
The issue of limited office space was discussed earlier this year by the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for Finance. Officials confirmed that while the civil service has sufficient space to accommodate a 40% attendance requirement, higher levels, such as four days a week, would exceed current capacity.
The NICS is already undergoing a programme to reduce its number of office locations by 28 over the next three years. The Department of Finance has confirmed that the programme is on track and that the existing office estate can accommodate the new attendance requirements, which will be managed locally by individual departments.
Following a consultation with recognised trade unions, the Department of Finance stated that the updated hybrid working policy will be rolled out across all NICS departments in September, with full implementation by the end of October 2025. Staff with alternative working patterns will have the 40% requirement adjusted on a pro-rata basis.
