Manila: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday reminded the private sector of available flexible work arrangements -- such as a four-day/compressed workweek or work-from-home scheme -- that can help ease operational costs while protecting workers' welfare.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOLE emphasized that under a compressed workweek arrangement, the standard 40-hour workweek may be distributed across four working days instead of five, with the corresponding hours added from Monday to Thursday if work is suspended on Friday. Conversely, a work-from-home arrangement allows employees to follow a regular eight-hour onsite schedule from Monday to Thursday, with work performed remotely on Friday, depending on the nature of work.
DOLE spokesperson Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine Serrano stated that such arrangements must be voluntarily agreed upon by employers and workers. He highlighted that any form of agreement must comply with the Labor Code, general labor standards, and safety and health regulations. Importantly, these arrangements should not result in the reduction of worker benefits.
As early as 2004, the department provided guidelines on flexible work arrangements through DOLE Advisory No. 02, followed by Department Advisory No. 02 (2009) and Department Advisory No. 04 (2010), covering compressed workweeks, worker rotation, and flexi-time schedules. Work-from-home arrangements were later institutionalized under Republic Act 11165 or the Telecommuting Act and further reinforced by Department Order No. 237, issued in 2022.
The DOLE also noted the feasibility of such arrangements depends on the industry, with sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing potentially facing operational limitations in adopting work-from-home or hybrid setups. Bureau of Working Conditions Director Alvin Curada emphasized that the key principle of these mutual agreements is that workers should continue to receive their usual wages and benefits when adopting flexible work arrangements.
Curada mentioned that the four-day workweek arrangement for the private sector is an option available to establishments wishing to align with the President's call for energy conservation. The DOLE highlighted that employers adopting flexible work arrangements must submit a report through the agency's online compliance portal once a mutual agreement with employees has been reached.
The flexible work scheme aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to conserve energy and reduce fuel consumption amid oil price hikes due to the Middle East conflict.
