The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that employers may opt to shift to a four-day workweek to alleviate the inconvenience being experienced by its employees due to scorching heat.
DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said it is not mandatory, but an option and prerogative of a company to set up a four-day workweek arrangement to reduce anxiety, stress and burnout of workers due to extreme hot weather.
“The four-day workweek is a flexible work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are the prerogative and one of the options of our employers, in consultation with their employees,” he said in a television interview.
The DOLE official said the reduced number of work days can be arranged depending on the needs of the company.
“If this will ensure the safety of the employees and their productivity will be maintained or improved, then why not?” he said.
“Each worker will still work 40 hours per week. But instead of five days, it will be four; instead of eight hours a day, it will be 10 hours a day,” Benavidez noted.
Meanwhile, the DOLE official said the government is already implementing mandatory occupational safety and health standards under a department order (DO) and the law.
DO 198, which contains the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11058 or “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational, Safety and Healthy (OSH) Standards,” applies to “all establishments, projects sites and all other places where work is being undertaken in all branches of economic activity.”
Under the OSH law, employers must provide a safe and healthy workplace by using devices or equipment with approved industry standards and provide appropriate personal protective equipment free of charge, among others.
All establishments, projects, sites and all other workplaces should also have free welfare activities, ensuring an adequate supply of safe drinking water, sanitary and washing facilities, and suitable living accommodation for workers, as may be applicable like in their respective industries.
“Regardless of the nature of the job, the place of the work, we always remind our workers to wear Personal protective equipment. There should be proper hydration, proper ventilation and there should be breaks, meal breaks,” Benavidez said.