Theoretical view on the flexibility of working mode and time in the public administration

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and forced social distancing have shown that remote or hybrid work is not a pipe dream. Workers in both the private and public sectors have learned that there are alternatives to full-time office hours. Now many of them – forming a clear majority in some countries, including the UK – do not want to return to the pre-pandemic status quo. International practices show us different experiences and models for the application of schemes for flexibility of the way and time of work. Indisputably, their application contributes to ensuring the balance of professional and family life, being an effective mechanism in solving problems at the micro and macro level. Talking about the regulation and transposition of these models in national practice, especially in public administration, implies a complex approach to all aspects of public administration, taking into account the level at which these new models are applied. Only through in-depth analyzes and studies, including the practices and models applied at the international level, will we be able to develop new paradigms of spatial and temporal flexibility of work in the context of ensuring the continuity of the activity and functionality of the public administration within the transformation processes.