CSC has been supporting 4-day workweek since pandemic onset –Lizada

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has long-supported the reduction of the workweek into four days since the COVID-19 pandemic started, Commissioner Aileen Lizada said Monday.

“Matagal na hong may four-day compressed workweek since 2020 po. Ang validity ho nito ay hanggang sa declaration ng public state of health emergency which will end some time on September 10, 2022. So, matagal na pong suportado,” Lizada said during a Laging Handa briefing.

(There has been a four-day compressed workweek for a long time since 2020. Its validity is up to the declaration of a public state of health emergency which will end some time on September 10, 2022. So, it has long been supported.)

She then cited the CSC’s Memorandum Circular Number 18, series of 2020 which allows national government agencies, local government units, and state universities and colleges to adopt alternative work arrangements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lizada made the remark in line with the suggestion of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Karl Kendrick Chua for the government to impose a four-day workweek to conserve energy and alleviate the public’s expenses amid the series of big time oil price hikes.

She, however, pointed out that offices should still be operational for five days and not be left unmanned.

“Kinakailangan pong may tao ang opisina, hindi po unmanned ang ating opisina. So, base din ito sa pagpipilian ng HR (human resource), together with the heads of agencies or local chief executives concerned,” she said.

(The office must have staff on duty and not left unmanned. It is still based on the choice of HR, together with the heads of agencies or local chief executives concerned.)

“Pwede ho 'yung Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday, pero hindi pwedeng isang araw na walang empleyado. So, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ho ang pagtatrabaho during a 4-day compressed work week,” she added.

(It can be Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday, but there can't be a day without employees. So, the work will continue during a 4-day compressed work week.)

Lizada also underscored the importance for heads of offices to consider the mental health and wellness of the employees as the ten hours in the office could be “very challenging.”

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas last Thursday said the city hall is set to adopt the said recommendation of a shortened workweek into four days to help employees cope with the successive fuel hikes.—AOL, GMA News