Civil Servants will not be penalised for turning up late for work last Monday because of the rain, but those who did not turn up at all will have the day considered as being part of their vacation leave, the head of the Civil Service has decided.

In a circular, Dr Godwin Grima, head of the Civil Service said that because of the exceptionally bad weather and heavy rains on Monday morning, a large number of public service employees found it impossible to either leave their residence or arrive at their place of work on time.

On the other hand, quite a good number of employees turned up for work as soon as they noticed that the weather was clearing up.

He said that it had been decided that late attendance, not exceeding four hours, is to be considered as ‘authorised absence’, without any reduction in vacation leave entitlement.

Employees who did not report for work would have their absence covered by vacation leave.

Employees who were on vacation leave or sick leave would continue to be considered as such.

The GWU and the UHM yesterday called for special leave for those who turned up late.