States work from home policy to be reviewed

Guernsey's top civil servant has said the States will review its work from home policy later this year.

Currently the States has no central register of how many of its staff work flexibly.

Concerns have also been raised by politicians about arrangements where States staff work permanently off-island and the lack of data on work from home arrangements.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Mark Helyar criticised the arrangements, saying: "The whole system increasingly looks broken."

Currently some posts, including the Director of Population Management, are being carried out by staff living in the UK.

Scrutiny Management Committee President Andy Sloan was also critical of the arrangements.

He said: : "It's really difficult to find a set of circumstances where this isn't taking the mickey.

"Whilst I'm sure it's an example of arrangements made before [head of the public service] Boley Smillie's watch, it kind of reinforces the perception that the civil service has been accountable to no one, not least the Guernsey public."

In recent weeks the island's population management system has come in for criticism from some businesses and politicians for taking too long to deal with permit applications.

The Committee for Home Affairs said a review of the system would be completed by the end of 2027.

In a response to questions from the BBC, Boley Smillie said: "Historically, there have been a small number of occasions where individuals have been engaged while based outside the bailiwick.

"My clear expectation is that this is avoided wherever possible, although there may be exceptional circumstances where an individual's specialist expertise or knowledge delivers significant value to Guernsey.

"Any such arrangements are considered on a case-by-case basis, kept under regular review, and maintained only where there is a clear operational benefit.

"Where suitable opportunities arise, I expect these roles to be brought back within the bailiwick as soon as it is practical and appropriate to do so."

On the subject of working from home, Smillie confirmed there was no central register of how many staff worked from home each day at the States.

He said: "States of Guernsey staff may request to work remotely, including from home.

"There is no automatic entitlement to do so. Each request is considered by the employee's line manager and approved only where it is compatible with the requirements of the role and the needs of the service.

"Any approval can be reviewed, amended or withdrawn if circumstances change."

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