By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
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.
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.
On the other hand, under a work-from-home arrangement, employees may 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 Asec. Lennard Constantine Serrano said such arrangements must be voluntarily agreed upon by employers and workers.
“Any form of agreement entered into must comply with the Labor Code, the general labor standards, and the safety and health of the workers stated therein. It should in no case result in the diminution of the benefits of the worker,” he said in a statement.
As early as 2004, the department has 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 later reinforced by Department Order No. 237, issued in 2022.
The DOLE added that the feasibility of such arrangements depends on the industry, noting that sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing may face operational limitations in adopting work-from-home or hybrid setups.
Bureau of Working Conditions Director Alvin Curada said the key principle of these mutual agreements is that workers should continue to receive their usual wages and benefits when adopting such flexible work arrangements.
He said the four-day workweek arrangement for the private sector is an option available to establishments that wish to align with the President’s call for energy conservation.
The DOLE noted 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 is in line 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.
