Work-from-home arrangement should be a consensus between employer and employee —Bello

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Saturday said that a work-from-home arrangement should be agreed upon by both the employer and employee.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV, Bello said working from home is “encouraged” to lessen the chances of getting the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among workers.

“It should be an arrangement between the employer and employee... hindi puwede na employee lang o employer lang. May consensus dapat,” the Labor chief said.

“Walang sapilitan ‘yan,” he said.

The Department of Labor and Employment 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.” 

Bello said working from home, though not mandatory, is among the other alternative work arrangements employers and employees can explore to cushion the impact of COVID-19.

The Labor chief said the work-from-home arrangement is only advisable for clerical work or jobs that can be done remotely without having to go to an office.

“It should be an arrangement between the employer and employee na sa halip na papasok siya eh kung kaya naman gawin ang trabaho sa bahay ay doon na lang niya gawin,” Bello said. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News