Part-time Public Service: A Guide to Understanding Everything

 Guide to the implementation of part-time work for public officials brings together in a single document all the applicable and updated rules on part-time work in order to better support administrations and civil servants in their appropriation of the system. He also referred to the new features of the year, including the abolition of the length-of-service requirement for contract staff to apply for part-time work, the opening of part-time work to non-full-time staff or the introduction of progressive retirement from the age of 60.

What is part-time in the public service?

Part-time work is a method of organizing working time that allows an agent who chooses to find a balance between his different times of life (professional, private, associative, etc.) throughout his career in the public service.

What are the different part-time schemes?

At their request, contract staff may perform their duties part-time, in the same amounts as those open to full-time officials. Part-time work may be by right or by authorization. The guide presents the different forms of part-time work:

• part-time on authorization : granted subject to service requirements;
• legal part-time : granted in certain cases (birth or adoption of a child, care of a relative, disability);
• part-time for therapeutic reason : related to the health status of the staff member;
• part-time for company creation or takeover ;
• phased retirement : since September 2025, accessible from the age of 60, allowing to combine reduced activity and pension fraction.

The choice of the part-time quota

● For part-time work on authorization: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% the length of service of staff performing the same duties on a full-time basis.

● For statutory part-time work: 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% the weekly length of service of staff performing the same duties on a full-time basis.

The choice of the quantity and the method of organization is fixed for the duration of the authorization. However, a change may take place during the period, either if there is agreement between the parties or if the needs of the service, in particular the obligation of continuity, so require.

How do I apply for part-time work?

It is advisable to file a part-time application at least two months before the start of the desired period with the reporting authority.

Authorization shall be granted once the officer's direct line manager has examined the possibilities for adapting the organization of the service: reorganization of the service, redefinition of tasks, establishment of a replacement structure. The request for part-time work may be refused on the grounds of service requirements.

Authorizations for part-time work, which have been granted for periods of between 6 months and 1 year, are tacitly renewed and up to a maximum of three years.

What impact on career and compensation?

The guide details the impact of part-time work on remuneration, which is calculated in proportion to actual length of service.

This method of calculation shall apply to salary, residence allowance, new index bonus (NBI) and allowances of any kind, relating either to the grade and step to which the staff member has attained or to the post to which he has been appointed.