Flexible work arrangements for government employees will now become permanent starting June 15.
Resolution No. 2200209 of the Civil Service Commission makes the alternative work arrangement permanent, subject to the discretion of the head of agency on the condition that all stakeholders are assured of continuous delivery of services from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
The flexible work arrangement guidelines cover 1.7 million government employees regardless of the status of appointment, the CSC said.
“This will certainly change the landscape of work in the country. The CSC is confident that greater flexibility will lead to increased productivity as the work environment becomes more responsive to employees’ unique individual needs,” it added in a statement.
Prior to this, alternative and flexible work arrangements were only allowed during a state of public health emergency, which is set to end by September this year.
“The CSC seeks to institutionalize flexible work arrangements as part of the nationwide effort to transition from a state of public health emergency to the new normal. It serves as a preventive measure to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of government officials and employees while ensuring the government’s continued operations and efficient delivery of public services,” the CSC said.
Based on the CSC resolution, flexible work arrangements include the following:
• Flexiplace, wherein officials and employees may be authorized to render services away from their office;
• Compressed work week, in which the 40-hour work week is compressed into four days or less, instead of five;
• Skeleton workforce, where a minimum number of 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 employees are allowed to report between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. provided they complete the required 40-hour workweek; and
• Combination of flexible work arrangements that may be adopted by an agency according to what is appropriate or applicable to its mandate and functions.
The adoption of flexible work arrangements may be allowed on a regular or recurring basis, situational, or for medical reasons.
“With this policy in place, the CSC aims to improve work-life balance, encourage the adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) for remote work, and provide reasonable work arrangements for vulnerable employees such as senior citizens, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, or those recovering from sickness/injuries and issues of mobility.”
“Safe work spaces and compliance with occupational health and safety standards are ensured in the implementation of flexible work arrangements,” the CSC said.
Agencies, however, must ensure that the delivery of government services, programs, and projects will not be negatively affected, delayed, or hampered with the adoption of flexible work arrangements.