CSC instructs to submit special medical leave requests directly

Civil Service Commission (CSC), on Wednesday, has instructed to submit requests for special medical leave directly to the Commission following complaints over delays by government offices in reaching a decision regarding such leave requests.

The medical leave for special health purposes is only granted upon approval by CSC.

At present, civil servants can apply for leave by submitting their requests along with the necessary documents to their workplace, which then forwards the application to the CSC.

CSC underscored difficulties arising from the existing process, it takes a long time for employees to be notified whether their leave for special health reasons has been approved when submitting the forms through their workplace.

As such, to resolve the issue, CSC has instructed civil servants to submit special medical leave requests directly to the Commission after copying their workplace in the request.

According to the Commission, civil servants must submit their request using the ‘Special Medical Leave Form’ at least 15 days before the intended start date of their leave.

Medical leave for special health purposes provides civil servants with 60 days of paid leave per year, in addition to their standard 30 days of paid sick leave. This leave is granted in the following situations:

• Undergoing long-term treatment for a terminal or chronic illness
• Donating bone marrow or an organ
• Supporting a direct dependent who is facing any of the above circumstances