REMOTE WORK IN THE CIVIL SERVICE: CONCEPTUAL AND CATEGORICAL APPARATUS AND LEGAL NATURE

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive theoretical and legal study of the institute of remote work within the civil service system of Ukraine. The author states that the rapid digitalization of management processes, driven by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, has necessitated a rethinking of traditional approaches to the organization of public service. The main focus is on developing a clear conceptual and categorical apparatus, as existing discrepancies between the norms of the Labor Code of Ukraine and special legislation on civil service create legal conflicts.

Within the framework of the study, the definitions of "remote work", "homework", and "performance of official duties outside the administrative building" are distinguished. It is proved that for the civil service, the category of "remote work" has a specific legal nature, as it is not merely a technical way of performing tasks but acts as a special regime of public-service relations that must ensure the continuity of the implementation of state functions.

The author analyzes the legal status of a civil servant in terms of remote work, highlighting issues of disciplinary responsibility, control over working hours, and ensuring information security. The necessity of legislative consolidation of the "right to disconnect" as a guarantee of protection against professional burnout and violation of the work-life balance is substantiated. The conclusions formulate proposals for amending the Law of Ukraine "On Civil Service" to unify terminology and increase the efficiency of remote management in the public sector. The article is of practical importance for scientists, legislators, and heads of human resource management departments of state bodies.

Keywords: civil service, remote work, legal nature, conceptual and categorical apparatus, public administration, labor law, working time regime, digitalization, legal status of a civil servant, information security.