Bahrain Adopts "Remote Investigation" with Employees Under Specific Procedural Controls

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The Civil Service Bureau has adopted a mechanism for "remote investigation" as part of the organized procedures for the work of investigation committees with employees who are not in senior positions and those equivalent to them, in a step aimed at developing the administrative system and enhancing digital transformation, in addition to supporting the principles of justice, transparency, and governance in government entities.

This came under decision No. (4) of the year 2026, issuing civil service instructions regarding the procedures of the investigation committee with employees who are not in senior positions and those equivalent to them, which established a unified procedural framework that regulates the work of investigation committees and specifies the controls necessary to protect the rights of both government entities and employees alike.

The instructions regulate the handling of job violations according to clear and fair procedures, whether in cases of breach of job duties or negligence in performing job tasks and responsibilities, while defining the roles and procedures followed by investigation committees from the start of examining the violation until the issuance of recommendations.

The new system allows for the initiation of investigation procedures and hearing the statements of employees, witnesses, and experts using audio and visual technical means, providing greater flexibility in managing investigation sessions while adhering to the approved procedural controls.

The procedural guide accompanying the decision specifies a set of controls for implementing the "remote investigation" mechanism, including determining the date of the investigation and the electronic means used, notifying the concerned parties in a timely manner, and informing them in advance if the session is being recorded.

The guide also ensures that those whose statements were heard can access the investigation record and sign it according to the approved procedures, preserving the rights of the parties involved and enhancing the integrity of the procedures followed.

In cases where the investigation committee recommends imposing a penalty on the employee's salary for more than a month or dismissal from service, the employee is referred to a disciplinary council formed by a decision from the head of the civil service apparatus, as stipulated in the decision.

This mechanism contributes to enhancing institutional oversight over disciplinary procedures, ensuring that more severe penalties undergo an independent disciplinary process before a final decision is made.

Additionally, the instructions require government entities to enter the approved disciplinary penalties into the Human Resources Management Information System (Horison) immediately upon issuance, ensuring their documentation and the updating of related data.

The government agencies are also committed to providing the Civil Service Bureau with relevant periodic reports and statistics, in support of the efforts for monitoring, evaluation, and continuous development of the investigation committees system.