Measures to protect the health of civil servants activates the home ministry due to the upcoming heat wave.

For civil servants who belong to vulnerable groups and work in services whose headquarters are in an area where temperatures of 40°C and above will prevail, provided the telecommuting application until Friday 19 July.

If this is not possible, due to the nature of their duties, then they can not come to their service by making use of a special leave (up to two working days per calendar year).

Their affiliation in vulnerable groups it is ascertained based on the relevant data already held for the employee or in collaboration with the medical examiner of the service or the occupational doctor or upon presentation by the employee himself of a relevant medical opinion, from which the condition can be derived.

In the event that teleworking is not possible and there is no remaining leave, employees belonging to vulnerable groups may be excused from duty due to the heat. For the implementation of this measure, the presentation of a relevant medical opinion is required.

In particular, for public servants who belong to vulnerable groups, the application of telework is foreseen. If this is not possible, due to the nature of their duties, then they can not come to their service by making use of a special permit. Their belonging to the susceptible groups is established on the basis of the relevant data already held for the employee or in collaboration with the service’s medical examiner or the occupational doctor or upon presentation by the employee himself of a relevant medical opinion, from which the condition can be derived.

According to a circular of the general secretary of Public Administration, Dimitris Kirmikiroglou, civil servants who do not fall into vulnerable groups will also be able to offer their services by teleworking, and where this is not possible, flexible arrival and departure hours will be applied. Especially for employees whose duties require working outdoors, they should use the prescribed personal protective equipment, while it is recommended to avoid working during the peak hours of the heat (12.00 – 17.00).

In order to avoid the suffering of the citizens, but also to protect their health, it is clarified that for any appointments with public services that have been scheduled during the peak hours of the heat wave, there is the possibility, at the request of the citizens, to re-evaluate their implementation. In this case, these public services are obliged to reschedule a new appointment or serve them immediately even without an appointment, if there is a question of exceeding deadlines, at another time of the same day or on another day as an emergency.

In the circular it is pointed out that in any case, all public services and State bodies must provide their services to the citizens without interruption and ensure their smooth operation.