New flexible work system in Jordan

The government plans to introduce a flexible work system in Jordan to accommodate new trends in the labor market.

On May 8, the Legislative and Opinion Bureau published a draft of the 2024 flexible work system, defining flexible work as any intellectual or physical effort by a worker for wages within specified flexible work contract forms.

Article 3 allows employers and employees to agree on various forms of flexible work, including remote work, part-time work, flexible hours, compressed workweek, flexible year, or any other form added by the minister.

Employers may hire workers in any flexible work form if the job nature aligns with it, per Article 6, which states:

1. Non-flexible contracts can be converted to flexible ones by mutual agreement.

2. Workers eligible for flexible work include:
- Those in academic or professional programs.
- Nursing or pregnant women needing flexibility based on medical reports.
- Caregivers for children, elderly, or family members needing daily assistance, supported by medical reports.
- Workers with disabilities.
- Any worker whose job nature aligns with flexible work forms.

Flexible work contracts must be written and include:
1. Worker’s details.
2. Employer and organization details.
3. Agreed flexible work form and tasks.
4. Agreed working hours.
5. Contract start and end dates.
6. Agreed wages and allowances.
7. Rights and obligations of both parties.
8. Other agreed terms.

Article 6 also states:
- Workers can request flexible work, with employers deciding within 10 working days, stating reasons for any rejection.
- Employers cannot change contract types if it reduces worker rights.
- Workers and employers can switch between flexible and non-flexible work after three months.

Article 7 ensures part-time work considers agreed hours for calculating annual, sick, and other leave, except maternity and nursing leave.

Article 8 requires employers offering flexible work to:
- Provide necessary equipment and tools.
- Avoid discrimination between flexible and non-flexible workers.
- Ensure privacy for workers using computers or electronic means.
- Set mechanisms for worker evaluation, supervision, and guidance.

Article 9 mandates employers with ten or more workers to align internal systems with this regulation.

Article 10 requires employers to:
- Submit worker data to the Social Security Corporation as per Article 5.
- Include flexible workers under social security per existing laws and regulations.

Article 11 obligates flexible workers to:
- Perform agreed tasks per employer’s directions.
- Adhere to agreed working hours.
- Maintain equipment and use it solely for work purposes.
- Follow employer’s privacy policies.

Article 12 ensures flexible workers enjoy all rights under non-flexible contracts as per the law, without compromising acquired rights. The contractual relationship is subject to legal provisions in unspecified cases.