SC requires its employees to report on-site from Nov. 22–30

The Supreme Court has required all its employees to report on-site starting Monday, November 22 until Tuesday, November 30 as the National Capital Region remains under alert level 2.

The high tribunal said offices must implement a flexible working schedule, wherein one-half of the workforce will report from Monday to Wednesday while others will report from Thursdays to Saturday to observe physical distancing measures.

“It is understood that those employees who are not scheduled to report to the office shall be under WFH [work-from-home] arrangement for two days to complete the mandatory 40-hour workweek,” the SC said in a memorandum order.

Under the memorandum, chiefs of the offices or services are required to determine who will be included in each shift and under rotation every week.

The health of each employee will be thoroughly checked upon entering the premises.

“They must not have even the slightest symptoms. They shall be monitored from time to time to ensure that they have no symptoms of COVID-19 infection,” the high court said.

Personnel must report for work from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

READ: MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 110-2021
RE: FULL OPERATIONAL CAPACITY WITH FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENT AND LIMITED PERSONAL FILING IN THE SUPREME COURT FOR THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 22 TO 30, 2021 pic.twitter.com/EY59WhRhu4

— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) November 19, 2021

Meanwhile, those who will be reporting for the first time after being out of the offices for more than 15 consecutive days must first get tested for COVID-19.

The SC said chiefs as well as their assistants only need to report for five days a week but must ensure that one of them will report on Saturday.

“Likewise, Chiefs of Offices/ Services shall continue to submit monthly accomplishment reports of their employees under the WFH arrangement within the first five days of the following month to the Chief, Office of the Administrative Services, Supreme Court,” the SC said.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Administrative Services will report to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo which offices failed to comply with this.

“Even if the Court is open on Saturdays, for purposes of computation of time, Rule 22, Section 1 shall still govern. The parties are merely given the option to file their pleadings on Saturdays,” it said.

The high court said the personal filings will be allowed for motions for initiatory pleadings such as motions for extension of time to file a petition, petitions for review, or other original petitions requiring payment of docket fees.

Other pleadings and court submissions must be filed electronically. —LBG, GMA News