DOLE: Private sector may adopt flexible work arrangement amid rising oil prices

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded private employers of available flexible work arrangements amid the rising fuel prices linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. 

In a press statement, the DOLE said the private sector may adapt a four-day workweek or work-from-home scheme to help ease operational costs and protect workers’ welfare.

“Sa framework ng DOLE, voluntary po ang adoption ng alternative work arrangement, flexible work arrangement, or telecommuting,” said Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) Director Alvin Curada.

(Under the framework of DOLE, the adoption of the alternative work arrangement, flexible work arrangement, or telecommuting is voluntary.)

“Tinitingnan rin po natin na baka naman may mga sektor na hindi po talaga kayang pangkalahatan na implementasyon na maaaring makaapekto sa ating ekonomiya,” Curada said. 

(This is because some sectors cannot implement the work arrangements.)

Under a four-day workweek arrangement, the standard 40-hour workweek may be distributed across four working days instead of five, with the corresponding hours added from Monday to Thursday if work is suspended on Friday. 

A work-from-home arrangement, meanwhile, allows employees to follow a regular eight-hour onsite schedule from Monday to Thursday with work performed remotely on Friday, depending on the nature of work.

Fuel prices saw major spikes as tensions in the Middle East escalated more than a week ago following the joint military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28. 

Employers adopting flexible work arrangements must submit a report through the agency’s online compliance portal once a mutual agreement with employees has been reached, the DOLE added. — Sundy Locus/RSJ, GMA Integrated News