Participation from civil servants in Kuwait’s new evening shift initiative is minimal, as most employees resist the change of the new system of work. This slow response has been explained by the numerous restrictions and tight regulations that accompany the transition. The initiative is meant to upgrade government service hours and reduce the congestion that normally results during peak times.
One of the key factors behind low turnout is that there is very little flexibility in switching to the evening shift. Civil servants have complained about the rigid framework that does not provide for easy switch between shifts and affects work-life balance. Additionally, the evening hours are considered less attractive for those with family commitments or other personal obligations.
The government has encouraged the shift through incentives, but the lack of enthusiasm shows that there is a deeper issue associated with the adaptability of public sector employees to new work structures. The evening shift was supposed to improve the effectiveness of public services, but the low participation rate indicates that there is a need for more flexibility and incentives to make the shift successful.
While the government continues to track the impact of the shift system, there is talk about the need for changes to ease the transition and increase participation. In the meantime, it seems that the evening shift will face an uphill battle in reorienting Kuwait’s civil service landscape.
