Why a Performance Management Programme?
A modern Public Service cannot do without an effective and ongoing programme for performance management. The Performance Management Programme (PMP) is a meaningful performance appraisal process contributing to a better public service and improved employee motivation.
What are the most important outcomes of the Performance Management Programme?
The Performance Management Programme is an effective management tool providing: - The employee with regular feedback on their work performance; - The Organisation with a structured record of employee performance; - A basis for improvements in employee performance.
What career opportunities are there in the Public Service?
Vacancies in the Public Service are filled in two ways: internally or externally. Internal vacancies are filled via a P&SD Circular open to serving public officers, while external vacancies are advertised in the Government Gazette. All P&SD Circulars can be viewed on the Public Service Recruitment Portal, while external calls can be viewed on the Department of Information's website, or on the Public Service Recruitment Portal. The platform can be accessed using a personal e-ID or via a dedicated access system designed for users without an e-ID. It features search and filter functions for easier navigation.
The Join the Public Service app also offers detailed information for individuals seeking a career in Malta's Public Service. It helps users stay up to date with the latest job openings, particularly those aligned with their interests. Users can also explore vacancies by category, save their favourites, and monitor the posts/positions they intend to apply for.
How is discipline applied in the public service?
Discipline in the public service is applied in terms of the Public Service Commission Disciplinary Regulations, 2023.
If I face a disciplinary charge what are my rights?
Apart from the right of reply at various stages of the process, public officers who are charged with a disciplinary offence have the right to, amongst other things to: (a) know the whole case against them (b) make their own defence (c) access all documentary evidence, and allowed ten (10) working days to consider it and reply thereto
(d) evidence produced after the start of the hearing cannot be used unless the officer has been given access and has ten (10) working days to consider and reply thereto (e) be assisted by a person of their choice (f) be informed of the decision or charge, and the penalty, in writing
(g) any notification on the case is considered as discharged if delivered to home or email address with evidence of delivery.
Are there any conditions I can benefit from if I have a child?
Yes. Public officers may avail themselves of various Work-Life Balance measures, such as:
(a) maternity leave.(b) parental leave.(c) adoption leave.(d) Parent leave(e) Urgent family leave(f) Carers' leave
Further to the above, public officers may utilize Modern Work Practices, such as remote working, flexi-time, flexi-week and reduced hours.
I have to take care of my child with special needs. Is there any condition I can benefit from?
Yes. Parents who are public employees may be allowed responsibility leave or work on a reduced work timetable so as to have time to provide care to their child with special needs. Other provisions, such as Carer's Leave and Modern Work Practices are also available.
I have an elderly parent who requires my care. Is there any condition I can benefit from?
Public employees may benefit from responsibility leave. Other provisions, such as Carer’s Leave and Modern Work Practices, may be utilized.
What is Urgent Family Leave and When can I use it?
Urgent Family Leave may be utilised for urgent family reasons in case of sickness or accidents which require the immediate presence of the employee. Immediate family is taken to mean spouse/partner in a civil union, children, parent, brother and sister. This leave is also applicable to public employees who have the legal custody of children. A maximum of 32 hours per calendar year may be taken as Urgent Family Leave, with the first 16 hours being deducted from the Vacation Leave entitlement, and the remaining 16 hours being deducted from the Sick Leave entitlement.
How do I become entitled to utilize the Carer's Leave?
Public employees who need to provide personal care or support to a relative, or to a person living in the same household as the employee, and need care and/or support due to medical issues are entitled to utilize Carer's Leave.
What is the Central Leave Fund and who can benefit from it?
The Central Leave Fund is a pool of hours donated by public employees, administered centrally by the People and Standards Division. Donated leave may be used by public employees for justified humanitarian reasons, such as prolonged or serious illness, etc.
What are Modern Work Practices and who can benefit from such measures?
Modern Work Practices are improved working methods that offer more flexibility at work. The Public Service offers a range of modern work practices which are: reduced hours, flexi-time, flexi-week, remote working and extended remote working. Public officers are eligible to apply for Modern Work Practices, so long as the service they deliver and skills are compatible with such measures.
What is Pre-Retirement Leave and what is the maximum amount to which I am entitled?
Public Officers are entitled to avail themselves of unutilised Sick Leave on full-pay as pre-retirement leave on the basis of one day's PRL for every four (4) days of unutilised SL on full-pay. Immediately preceding their retirement from the Service. PRL entitlement cannot exceed the total maximum of three (3) calendar months.
Frequently Asked Questions on the conditions regarding Special Unpaid Leave not on Grounds of Public Policy/On Grounds of Public Policy to Work with the Institutions, Bodies and Agencies of the European Union and International Organisations (For the definition of the term ‘on grounds of public policy’ please refer to the Glossary of Organisational and Management Terms by clicking here).
1. As a Public Employee am I allowed to work with EU institutions/bodies/agencies?
As a Public Employee you are encouraged to apply for recruitment with the Institutions, Bodies and Agencies of the European Union.
2. Where can I view vacancies for posts / positions with EU Institutions, Bodies and Agencies?
Vacancies for posts/positions with EU Institutions, Bodies and Agencies can be viewed on the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and EU Agencies Network.
3. As a Public Employee, if I am selected for employment with any EU Institution, Body or Agency, do I have to resign?
As a Public Employee you are eligible to be granted special unpaid leave on specific terms and conditions. Such special unpaid leave can be granted either on grounds of public policy or otherwise but, in both cases, remains subject to the exigencies and to the interests of the Maltese public administration.
4. Who do I have to update of my position with the EU institution/body/agency?
You have to inform P&SD of the post you hold within the EU Institution, Body and Agency as well as any changes in your employment circumstances. You are obliged to provide at least an annual statement containing such details. If you fail to provide such information or provide inaccurate information, you will be considered as resigned from the Public Service.
5. On promotion in the Malta Public Service, can I terminate my unpaid leave?
Unpaid leave may be terminated at any time for the purpose of taking up a post with the Government as a result of a call for applications to which you are eligible, a post at salary scales 1, 2, 3 or 4, a post in a Ministerial Secretariat, or the EU Secretariat within the Prime Minister's Office. Otherwise unpaid leave may be terminated subject to the notice periods stipulated in Q. 12 with respect to unpaid leave not on grounds of public policy and Q. 21 with respect to unpaid leave on grounds of public policy.
6. In what circumstances will I be granted special unpaid leave not on grounds of public policy?
Special unpaid leave NOT on grounds of public policy is granted when you are selected for posts below AD9 with European Union Institutions, Bodies and Agencies.
7. Under what conditions is unpaid leave not on grounds of public policy granted?
The eligibility for the above is that public officers have been in the Public Service for at least twelve months.
Duration of unpaid leave: for a maximum period of three years or the length of your service, whichever is the shorter period.Conditions for the granting of unpaid leave: Provided you respect the conditions and limitations of the granting of such special unpaid leave, you will: [i] enjoy the right to return to your substantive grade held immediately before your engagement with the EU;[ii] retain all rights and privileges applicable to your public office and those arising from the respective Classification Agreement;[iii] social security rights acquired under the Social Security Act (Cap. 318) will be safeguarded in line with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1408/71.
8. When do I apply for special unpaid leave NOT on ground of public policy?
Once you receive confirmation of your employment with the EU Institution, Body or Agency, you are to obtain the clearance of your Permanent Secretary.
9. Do I have to give notice to my department if I am granted special unpaid leave NOT on ground of public policy?
A notice period of three months shall have to be respected, provided that if you occupy a position that carries a longer notice period, whether contractual or otherwise, the longer contractual notice period prevails.
10. How many times can I apply for special unpaid leave not on grounds of public policy?
Special unpaid leave not on grounds of public policy to work with the EU Institutions, Bodies or Agencies may only be availed of once, irrespective of the duration which, in any case, can never exceed the maximum period of 3 years.
11. Can I be granted an extension of my unpaid leave not on grounds of public policy?
Requests for extension of the unpaid leave period for work with the same Institution may be considered so long as the three year capping is not exceeded.
12. What happens if I resign from or my post with the EU Institution, Body or Agency is terminated prior to the expiry of the contractual period and/or the approved period of unpaid leave?
Should you resign or your employment with the European Institution, Body or Agency is terminated prior to the expiry of the contractual period and/or the approved period of unpaid leave, you shall be required to immediately write to the P&SD requesting the resumption of duties with Government and the termination of your unpaid leave.
13. What are the consequences for failing to inform P&SD of my resignation or termination of employment with the EU Institution / Body / Agency?
Failure to inform P&SD within 30 days of resignation or termination of employment with the EU Institution, Body or Agency will be considered as resignation from the Public Service.
14. How can I resume duties (re-integration) in Government service after the utilisation of unpaid leave?
As a Public officer availing yourself of special unpaid leave not on grounds of public policy, at least 30 days before the expiry of the unpaid leave, you are to notify P&SD of the date when you intend to resume duties with Government. The 30-day period is to be extended by an additional 30 days for every year of unpaid leave utilised.
15. Should circumstances change, can I have my special unpaid leave NOT on grounds of public policy be considered as special leave on grounds of public policy?
In case of circumstantial changes, special unpaid leave not on grounds of public policy may be followed by unpaid leave on grounds of public policy, subject to the submission of a new application. In this case, the six-month notice period usually required for the granting of unpaid leave on grounds of public policy, is not required.
16. In what circumstances shall I be granted special unpaid leave on grounds of public policy?
If selected for one of the posts at the levels listed at (1), (2) and (3) below and subject to having 12 months service with the Public Service, you will be granted special unpaid leave on grounds of public policy:(1) Cabinet or similar positions of trust with Commissioners, Judges (European Court of Justice and Court of First Instance), members of the Court of Auditors, President of the Parliament, President of the European Council, members of the Council, President of the European Economic and Social Committee and the President of the Committee of the Regions;(2) if post with the EU Institution, Body or Agency is in category A16, A15, A14, A13;(3) if post with the EU Institution, Body or Agency is in category A12, A11, A10, A9.Duration: The following periods of unpaid leave on grounds of public policy will apply to the categories defined above as follows:(1) A maximum period of five (5) years which may be renewed to take up a new position of trust with a different Commissioner, Judge or President of the Institutions mentioned above;(2) A maximum period equivalent to the duration of the terms of office of the posts you hold;(3) A maximum period of five (5) years provided that, if you have been in the public service for more than ten (10) years, the maximum period may be extended to ten (10) years, limited however to duration of the terms of office of the posts you hold, whichever shorter.
17. What conditions are secured when unpaid leave on grounds of public policy is granted?
Provided you observe the conditions and limitations of the granting of such special unpaid leave, you will:
18. When do I apply for special unpaid leave on grounds of public policy?
Once you receive confirmation of your employment with the EU Institution, Body or Agency, you are to obtain the clearance of your Permanent Secretary before applying to P&SD for special unpaid leave on grounds of public policy.
19. Do I have to give notice to my department if I am granted special unpaid leave on ground of public policy?
A notice period of six months shall have to be respected, provided that if you occupy a post that carries a longer notice period, whether contractual or otherwise, the longer contractual notice period prevails.
20. What happens if I resign from or my post with the EU Institution, Body or Agency is terminated prior to the expiry of the contractual period and/or the approved period of unpaid leave?
Requests for extension of the 5 years unpaid leave granted to employees holding positions of trust with Commissioners, Judges or Presidents of European Union Institutions, may be considered to take up employment with a different Commissioner, Judge or President of the Institutions.
21. When do I have to seek resumption of duties (re-integration) into the public service?
22. If I am nominated for secondment as a National Expert, do the above provisions apply?
The above provisions shall not apply to National Experts since they are seconded with the Institutions, Bodies and Agencies of the European Union. Such secondment, which can be for periods of up to four years, are made by the Government in response to a formal request or call issued to Member States by an EU Institution, Body or Agency. As a general rule, the salaries of such seconded officers continue to be paid by their department in Malta with the EU entity paying living and travel allowances.
1. If, as a Public Officer, I am selected for employment with an international institution, do I have to resign?
As a Public Officer, you may be granted special unpaid leave to take up employment with international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations (UN), Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Commonwealth.
2. How can I apply for unpaid leave to work with an international organisation?
Applicants may apply by submitting the respective e-form to the respective Permanent Secretary, through one’s Director/Head of Department, including necessary documentation, period of work assignments and description of position.
3. Under what terms and conditions is this unpaid leave granted?
Unpaid leave to work with international organisations is granted to public officers who have completed at least one (1) year’s service and are selected to work with an international organisation.
4. May I seek an extension of the unpaid leave granted?
On the expiration of the first 12 months unpaid leave, you may request a renewal. Unpaid leave may be renewed annually, up to a maximum of 8 years, depending on the exigencies of the service.
5. What happens if I resign the post I occupy with the international organisation or the engagement is terminated?
In the case of resignation or termination of employment by the International Organisation, you should notify P&SD and your employing Department/Directorate of the exact date when you intend to resume duties.
Where can I obtain more information?
The Manual on Special Leaves provides information regarding different types of Special Leaves. The Manual on Special Leaves can be accessed from here.
