BPO firms should reimburse work-from-home employees -- DOLE
Published Jun 25, 2020 12:00 am
By Noreen Jazul
Business process outsourcing (BPO) companies should shoulder the expenses incurred by their employees who have been working from home, the labor department said on Wednesday.
(Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)
“Sa isang BPO setup, kapag nag wo-work from home, normally po ang kompanya ang nag sho-shoulder ng cost in terms of electricity, in terms of internet connection, in terms of gadgets such as the laptop, and kung ano pa iyong kailangan. (In the setup of BPO, when employees are working from home, normally the company would shoulder the cost of the employees’ electricity, internet connection, gadgets such as laptops, and others needed for their work.),” Department of Labor and Employment Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay told Unang Hirit.
Under the Telecommuting Act, Tutay said employees have the right to reimburse their expenses incurred in the work-from-home setup from the company.
Tutay said the labor department already had a discussion with the BPO industry upon receiving complaints from employees.
“They are saying na talagang during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), nagdagdag po sila ng cost for this at dineliver po nila ito sa tahanan ng mga manggagawa (They said that during the ECQ they added costs for this, and they delivered them to their employees’ homes),” Tutay said.
Tutay then urged BPO employees to report to DOLE the unfair practices being done by their respective companies.
“May mga ganyan pong isolated case lang, very specific. Please do let us know kasi willing po ang industry to call the attention of the company na ‘yon (This is an isolated case, very specific. Please do let us know because the industry is willing to call the attention of the company in question.)” Tutay said.
Meanwhile, Tutay also reminded employers that they can’t force employees to use their leaves.
“Ang paggamit ng kahit anong klaseng leave ay nasa manggagawa, at kung paano niya gagamitin at karapatan niya po iyan (The employee has the right to decide when and how he/she will use the leaves),” Tutay said.
(Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)
“Sa isang BPO setup, kapag nag wo-work from home, normally po ang kompanya ang nag sho-shoulder ng cost in terms of electricity, in terms of internet connection, in terms of gadgets such as the laptop, and kung ano pa iyong kailangan. (In the setup of BPO, when employees are working from home, normally the company would shoulder the cost of the employees’ electricity, internet connection, gadgets such as laptops, and others needed for their work.),” Department of Labor and Employment Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay told Unang Hirit.
Under the Telecommuting Act, Tutay said employees have the right to reimburse their expenses incurred in the work-from-home setup from the company.
Tutay said the labor department already had a discussion with the BPO industry upon receiving complaints from employees.
“They are saying na talagang during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), nagdagdag po sila ng cost for this at dineliver po nila ito sa tahanan ng mga manggagawa (They said that during the ECQ they added costs for this, and they delivered them to their employees’ homes),” Tutay said.
Tutay then urged BPO employees to report to DOLE the unfair practices being done by their respective companies.
“May mga ganyan pong isolated case lang, very specific. Please do let us know kasi willing po ang industry to call the attention of the company na ‘yon (This is an isolated case, very specific. Please do let us know because the industry is willing to call the attention of the company in question.)” Tutay said.
Meanwhile, Tutay also reminded employers that they can’t force employees to use their leaves.
“Ang paggamit ng kahit anong klaseng leave ay nasa manggagawa, at kung paano niya gagamitin at karapatan niya po iyan (The employee has the right to decide when and how he/she will use the leaves),” Tutay said.