WFH Policy Not Significantly Energy-Saving, Civil Servants in Jepara Required to Continue Working from Office
The Jepara Regency Government (Pemkab) has decided not to implement a work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants (ASN) within its administration. They assess that such a policy does not provide a significant effect in efforts to save energy.
This has been stipulated by Pemkab Jepara in Circular Letter (SE) Number 100.3.4.2/12 Concerning the Transformation of Civil Servant (ASN) Work Culture in the Jepara Regency Government Environment. The SE will take effect from 2 April 2026.
“We will continue to implement the ASN work culture transformation in accordance with the SE of the Minister of Home Affairs and the SE of the Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform, but we will not implement WFH,” stated the Secretary of Jepara Regency, Ary Bachtiar, when interviewed on Monday (6/4/2026).
He explained several considerations for why Pemkab Jepara is not implementing WFH for ASN every Friday. First, to ensure public services continue to run smoothly.
“Second, after our review, if we combine work from office and work from home, the energy efficiency is not that significant, because electricity is still used, AC is used. Therefore, we have decided not to implement WFH,” said Ary.
He added that another consideration is that the WFH policy is misused by ASN for travelling. This is because WFH is implemented adjacent to the weekend. “They should be working from home, not having a long weekend, but instead they go somewhere. That concern exists,” he said.
Ary stated that although WFH is not being implemented, Pemkab Jepara is still carrying out energy efficiency through several other policies. For example, reducing domestic official travel by up to 50 percent.
“Then, for meetings, if possible to be conducted online, we will do them online,” he said.
In addition, ASN are asked to limit electricity usage. “For example, the AC temperature is aimed at 24-26 degrees Celsius to make electricity more efficient. During breaks, from 11:30 WIB to 12:30 WIB, we turn off the electricity, turn off the AC,” said Ary.
Specifically on Fridays, ASN in Pemkab Jepara are also encouraged to use non-fuel transport, such as bicycles or electric bicycles. “ASN colleagues within a one-kilometre radius from the office can also walk,” said Ary.