Hong Kong civil servants to be given 12 hours of family care leave a year

Starting January, Hong Kong's civil servants will be eligible for up to 12 hours of family care leave per year, according to the government's "people-orientated" approach. This initiative, first announced in September, aims to provide a family-friendly work environment for its employees. The Central Government's Civil Service Bureau detailed the scheme in a report to the Legislative Council's public service panel on Tuesday.

Civil servants can utilize this leave to attend medical appointments for family members, care for sick relatives, attend their children's school activities, or handle household emergencies. The government's decision comes in response to staff feedback indicating an increased need for flexibility due to an aging population and the need for childcare assistance. Employees can apply for between one and four hours of family care leave at a time, with those requiring more time needing to apply for holiday leave instead.

The bureau stated that staff would typically only need to provide a reason for taking the leave, without needing to submit supporting documents. In unforeseen situations, staff may first seek their supervisor's approval and then submit a formal application if necessary. However, supervisors may request documentary proof if they suspect abuse of the scheme.

The application and approval processes for family care leave will be flexible and streamlined as much as possible, according to the bureau. The Civil Service Bureau plans to consult with staff on the detailed arrangements for family care leave, with the goal of implementation in 2027. The government will also continue to review existing family-friendly employment measures and seek suggestions for improvements.

This initiative is part of the government's broader efforts to tackle Hong Kong's falling birth rate. However, business leaders have noted that the private sector may have limited incentive to adopt similar measures due to staffing and financial constraints, particularly among smaller firms. The government, as Hong Kong's largest employer with over 170,000 civil servants, introduced childcare leave in 2025, granting each civil servant three days off per year for each child under three years old.