The Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded government offices to allow Muslim employees to adjust their work hours to accommodate their religious practices during the month of Ramadan.

The Muslim community has officially started the month-long Ramadan on March 12.

“In light of the observance of the fasting season on the month of Ramadan, which officially commences on March 12, 2024, the Civil Service Commission advises Muslims working in the government throughout the Philippines to adopt flexible working hours pursuant to the Policies on FWAs (flexible work arrangements) in the Government as provided under CSC Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2022 dated 6 June 2022,” CSC said in an advisory.

CSC said the policies on FWAs are established to institutionalize relevant and appropriate work arrangements for government officials and employees to ensure efficient and effective performance of governmental functions and delivery of public services, and to ensure protection of their health, safety, and welfare at all times.

Work hours adjustment

Based on the advisory, the working hours of Muslim government employees will be adjusted during Ramadan, their holy month of fasting.

The new schedule will be from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. without a noon break, instead of the usual 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The two-hour difference will not be considered as undertime.

Muslims are excused from work on Fridays, which is their “pray day,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Through CSC Resolution No. 00-0227, the CSC clarified that the term ‘Friday’ in the CSC Resolution No. 81-1277 is not limited to the Fridays during the month of Ramadan, but refers to ‘all Fridays of the calendar year,’” CSC said.

However, to ensure that the required 40 hours workweek is met, the CSC requires the adoption of a flexible working schedule to accommodate Muslims’ Friday Prayer Day subject to certain conditions, such as the flexible working hours that should not start earlier than 7 a.m. and end not later than 7 p.m.

According to CSC MC No. 06, s. of 2022, Muslims employed by the government are permitted to implement “flexitime.”

This is defined as a work schedule in which the agency permits its government officials and employees to work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on a daily basis, as long as they adhere to the mandated 40 hours of workweek.

“Agencies, however, are reminded to ensure that all their stakeholders are assured of continuous public service delivery from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including lunch break, throughout the workweek,” CSC said.

“Agencies shall also formulate internal guidelines on FWA which include the tasks allowed to be accomplished outside the office, health and communication protocols, performance standards and monitoring mechanism, and provision of support mechanisms,” it added.