By Noreen Jazul
All workplaces and establishments in the formal sector will now be required to craft a mental health policy and program under the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) new order.
The labor department, in its order no. 208 released on Feb. 11, said the policy must be "jointly prepared" by the management and workers' representative.
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The policy shall also be "made an integral part of the company's occupational safety and health (OSH) policies and programs," according to DOLE.
Companies and other establishment are advised to seek assistance on the formulations and implementation of the policy from DOLE, the Department of Health, and other institutions which provide mental health's services such as Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA), Philippine Neurological Association (PNA), Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association (PGCA), and the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA).
Mental health conditions
DOLE said workplace institutions will be required to raise awareness and prevent stigma about mental health conditions by providing all their workers will basic information and education on the matter.
Support and access to medical health services shall also be provided to workers who are "at-risk" or "with mental health condition."
The policy shall also "promote workers' well-being towards healthy and productive lives."
A way to enhance the well-being of workers is by identifying and managing work-related stress and stressors which include "interpersonal issues with superiors, subordinates, co-employees, clients and customers," according to DOLE.
DOLE also suggested that companies address employee "burnout" by review their workload.
Programs that recognize the achievement of their workers shall also be created by a company, DOLE said.
Discrimination against workers with or at "risk of developing" mental health conditions shall also be prohibited under the policy.
"Workers shall not be discriminated against from hiring, promotion, and/ or benefits of employment because of their condition," DOLE said.
"Provided, however, that such conditions shall not interfere with the employee's performance of their job or unduly affect his own safety or that of his co-workers, clients and the general public," it added.
Workers with, and/or suspected with mental health conditions shall also "not be terminated from work" unless their condition "progresses to such severity that it affects his/her own safety or safety of co-workers and work performance and productivity"
Employees with mental health conditions shall also be evaluated by an occupational health (OH) physician to identify their fitness to work.
'Workers' responsibility'
Meanwhile, workers are encouraged to "disclose their medical or mental health condition for purposes of reasonable accommodation."
DOLE said assisting fellow workers with mental health conditions "in any form" will be of help.
Employees were also told not to engage in "bullying such as cyberbullying/mobbing, verbal, sexual and physical harassment, all forms of work-related violence, threats, shaming, alienation and other forms of discrimination which may lead to a mental health problem or may aggravate existing mental health condition."
DOLE order no. 208 was made pursuant to Republic Act No. 11036 (Mental Health Act) and RA No. 11058 (An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof).
The order will take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.