DOF shifting to four-day workweek starting May
The Department of Finance (DOF) is set to introduce a four-day workweek to alleviate the burden on its employees who are struggling with the intense traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
During the DOF anniversary celebration, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto announced that the new department policy is scheduled to be implemented from May this year.
Recto explained that the goal of this policy is to enable employees to be more productive by saving their time and avoiding traffic stress.
“This is for you to be more productive by saving time and avoiding the stress of traffic,” Recto told the DOF employees Friday night, April 26.
He is also hopeful that DOF would become more efficient and productive as it adapts to the four-day workweek.
The DOF, however, is yet to release a memorandum that outlines how the four-day workweek policy will be enforced.
Under the regulations set by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), government workers are required to work for a total of 40 hours per week, which is equivalent to eight hours of work per day.
However, CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada had earlier said the four-day workweek is allowed under a flexible work arrangement, wherein government employees must work for 10 hours per day for four days.
The CSC regulations for flexible work options were introduced in 2022.
Cauayan City's 4-day workweek starts Monday
In Cauayan City, Isabela, the city government’s four-day compressed workweek will start on Monday, April 29, to reduce operating costs this dry season.
Mayor Caesar S. Dy Jr. issued Executive Order No. 20-2024 adjusting the work schedule of city government employees from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday or a total of 10 hours daily with a one-hour break.
Dy said this seeks to reduce electricity and water consumption of the city government this dry season. It will also ensure the safety of city government staff from the extreme heat.
However, the City Health Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Engineering Office (field workers), City Agriculture Office (field workers), City Public Order and Safety Division (field workers), City Economic Enterprise and Development Office, City Veterinarian's Office, and City Environment and Natural Resources Office (field workers)
will remain in their regular work schedule to ensure continuous services. (With a report from Liezle Basa Iñigo)