Transition to flexible work begins in the Philippines

Starting from June 15, new flexible work arrangements (FWA) in the public sector will cover 1.7 million employees.
By: | June 8, 2022
Topics: Employee Experience | Hybrid Working | News | Philippines | Restructuring

Aileen Lizada, Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), said the FWA policy has been approved, but will be implemented independently by the head of each government agency, with the provision that a “substantial number” of employees are available during core working hours.

“Even on Saturdays [and Sundays], they can work if needed. This is so the transacting public will have more time,” she added.

Under CSC Resolution No. 2200209 – which takes effect 15 days after its publication or on June 15 – flexible work arrangements include:

  • Flexiplace, where officials and employees may be authorised to render services away from their office.
  • Compressed work week, where the 40-hour work week is compressed into “four days or less” instead of five.
  • Skeleton workforce, where minimum personnel will be required to report to the office “when full staffing is not possible.
  • Work shifting for agencies required by law to operate 24/7 or agencies required to observe workplace health and safety protocols.
  • Flexitime, where working hours “shall start not earlier than 7am and end not later than 7pm” provided they complete the required 40-hour week.
  • Weekend work “provided that [these] are regular workdays and not overtime” while employees “may choose compensatory days off during weekdays.
  • Combination of flexible work arrangements that may be adopted.

However, the resolution also carries the condition of a “continuous delivery of services” from 8pm to 5pm. The CSC added that the adoption of the guidelines “may be allowed on a regular or recurring basis, situational, or for medical reasons.” 

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The resolution “seeks to institutionalise flexible work arrangements as part of the nationwide effort to transition from a state of public health emergency to the new normal” and serve as “a preventive measure to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of government officials and employees” while ensuring continuous operations, according to Philstar.com.