DOLE urges employers to adopt flexible arrangements amid COVID-19 threat

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday called on employers to adopt flexible arrangements for their workers in light of the ongoing global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The DOLE issued Department Advisory No. 01 series of 2020 or the “Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Work Arrangement as Remedial Measure due to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.”

“The Department recognizes the desirability and practicality of flexible work arrangements that may be considered by employers after consultation with the employees...taking into account the adverse consequences of the situation on the financial viability of the company,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in the advisory.

“The adoption of flexible work arrangements is considered as better alternative than outright termination of the services of the employees or the total closure of the establishments,” Bello said.

Among the flexible work arrangements are the following;

• Reduction of work hours and/or workdays: the normal work hours or days per week are reduced;
• Rotation of workers: employees are rotated or alternately provided work within the week; and
• Forced leave: employees are required to go on leave for several days or weeks utilizing their leave credits, if there are any.

“The employers and the employees are encouraged to explore other alternative work arrangements in order to cushion and mitigate the effect the loss of income of the employees,” Bello said.

Establishments implementing the flexible work arrangements are required to post a copy of the advisory in a conspicuous location in the workplace.

The employer shall notify the DOLE through its regional offices of the adoption of any of the flexible arrangements. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News