Why the broken-hearted need to take heartbreak leave

Why does the broken-hearted need to take time off from work? 

Psychologist Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio gave some reasons why when asked about Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Lordan Suan's House Bill No. 9931, which seeks to grant heartbroken employees days of unpaid leave depending on their age.

“There are really serious effects. When we say heartbreak, is when a significant other breaks up with you, leaves you, or in some cases, when the person dies,” Claudio told GMA Integrated News.

“It doesn't happen often but people can die of a broken heart,” she said.

Claudio cited stress cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome where a person’s heart muscle weakens because of sudden acute stress.

In the workplace, heartache may result in absenteeism or less productivity.

“When you're depressed talaga, you find you have no energy at all, even to get out of bed. You cannot focus on your work. You don't want to go to work. It's very stressful for you,” Claudio said.

She believes taking a leave of absence during trying times is good for the employee’s well-being.

“We really encourage people to take their leaves. And sa amin, more leaves for people to take, the better for their health kasi masyadong stressful talaga ang mundo ngayon eh,” Claudio said.

Suan’s proposal grants a one-day unpaid leave in one year for heartbroken employees below 25 years old, two days unpaid leave for those 25 to 35 years old, and three days unpaid leave for those 36 years old and above.

“Parang kulang eh, no? Yung one day. In fact, kulang yung three days, batay lang sa karanasan natin bilang ordinaryong tao… Pero as I said, I’d rather have one day than nothing,” Claudio said.

(It doesn't seem to be enough, this one day. Even three days is not enough based on our experiences as ordinary people... But as I said, I'd rather have one day than nothing.)

She also advised heartbroken employees availing of the heartbreak leave to use it wisely.

“If you're gonna use that one day, I would suggest you talk to someone who's a professional,” Claudio said. 

On Thursday, Suan filed another bill for the loveless, this time for seeking unpaid leave every February 15 for single employees to shake off the stress and social pressure of celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Suan acknowledges the “negative impact of Valentine’s Day on single individuals’ mental health, with magnified feelings of loneliness, stress, and pressure to conform to societal pressures.”

The proposed measure aims to allow single employees to take “a wellbeing leave with the aim of improving their work performance and overall wellbeing.”

The bill defines single employees as those “not currently in a committed romantic relationship.”

To avail of the singles’ wellbeing leave, an employee is required to submit a written request 48 hours before February 15.

The bill also requires the Department of Labor and Employment and the Civil Service Commission to develop and disseminate resources and programs for single public and private employees’ emotional support in the workplace.

Suan filed the bill on February 15, 2024.

On Valentine's Day, Suan filed House Bill 9931, or the Heartbreak Recovery and Resilience Act, saying that the measure would address a significant yet often overlooked factor that impacts employee performance and engagement: the emotional turmoil associated with breakups.

“Studies reveal the substantial toll breakups take on individuals, affecting their emotional and mental well-being, leading to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and higher healthcare costs. Recognizing this reality, the bill acknowledges the legitimacy of emotional distress stemming from personal life and offers crucial support during this challenging time,” Suan said in his explanatory note.

“By allowing time and space for emotional processing, [the heartbreak] leave can lead to improved focus and performance upon return,” he added.

Under his proposal, the number of unpaid heartbreak leaves will vary based on the age bracket such as:

• one heartbreak leave in a year for employees aged below 25;
• two heartbreak leaves in a year for employees aged 25 to 35; and
• three heartbreak leaves in a year for employees aged 36 and older.

Younger employees, Suan said, face societal pressure to quickly bounce back and may benefit from shorter leave periods while older individuals navigating complex family dynamics or financial dependencies might require longer periods.

“This varying approach ensures equitable access to leave while recognizing individual needs and circumstances,” he said.

When asked if he had been heartbroken, Suan replied, “Dumaan na rin so I understand what they’re going through. And if it were me, 'pag binigyan ako ng chance na makapag-rest or makapag-isip kahit one day lang, puwede na yon.”

(I also went through a heartbreak so I understand what they're going through. And if I was given a chance to rest or reflect even if for just one day, I'd take it.)

Suan also said he filed the bill after observing that his heartbroken friends and colleagues returned to work with a better outlook after being able to rest.

“Sinabi ko sa kanila na mag-rest kayo ng one day, two days. And then pagbalik nila, medyo na-ok talaga sila,” Suan told GMA Integrated News.

(I tell them to take a day or two rest. And when they return, they'd be a bit okay.)

“Kung yung isang tao heartbroken, hindi naman siya makaka-perform at peak level sa job niya,” he added.

(If a person is heartbroken, he can't perform his job at peak level.)

When asked about the consequences of employees’ abusing the heartbreak leave, Suan said it is a small risk that employers will have to take. He also stressed that it would not impact much on the workplace since the leave is unpaid.

“Alam naman siguro ng karamihan na, 'Uy, wala itong jowa, bakit biglang nag-heartbreak leave? Masisira rin naman yung reputation niya',” Suan added.

(Many of his or her coworkers would know, 'This person has no boyfriend or girlfriend, why is he or she taking a heartbreak leave? The reputation will be affected.) —NB, GMA Integrated News