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Hong Kong Civil Servants to Get 12 Hours Annual Family Care Leave from January

SCMP · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN

Summary

Hong Kong civil servants will be entitled to up to 12 hours of family care leave annually starting from January 2027, according to details released by the Civil Service Bureau in a paper submitted to the Legislative Council's public service panel on Tuesday . The leave, announced in September's policy address, allows staff to accompany family members to medical appointments, care for sick relatives, attend children's school activities, or handle household emergencies . Applications can be made for one to four hours at a time, with streamlined procedures that generally do not require supporting documents . The government said it was committed to creating a family-friendly working environment as part of a "people-orientated" approach .

Key Points

Civil servants may apply for one to four hours of family care leave at a time; those needing more time must apply for holiday leave or other leave types
Staff generally only need to provide a reason without supporting documents, though supervisors may request proof if abuse is suspected
For unforeseen circumstances, staff may seek verbal approval first and submit formal applications afterwards
Unused family care leave cannot be carried over to the following year
Approximately 85 percent of civil servants worked a five-day week as of 2024, with the government exploring ways to expand this arrangement

Why It Matters

The new family care leave policy addresses growing concerns about work-life balance among civil servants, particularly those caring for elderly family members or young children . By providing flexible, streamlined leave arrangements, the government signals its commitment to being a model employer while potentially setting a precedent for private sector adoption of similar family-friendly measures .