With the persistent traffic challenges in Metro Manila, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) urged more agencies to adopt flexible work arrangements (FWAs) as a solution to traffic congestion.
The new resolution from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Metro Manila Council (MMC) adopts a modified working schedule from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for officials and employees in local government units (LGUs) to commence on May 2.
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In a statement on Friday, April 12, CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles stressed that 499 agencies have adopted internal guidelines by the end of December 2023, but more are needed, especially in Metro Manila.
“This new development from the MMDA, with the support of the MMC and local officials, is crucial in improving the welfare of civil servants in LGUs, especially those who do not own cars and commute to work every day,” he said.
Based on the CSC’s latest Inventory of Government Human Resources, with the National Capital Region (NCR) having the largest number of government workers in the country, the CSC envisioned improving productivity and safety for public servants through flexible work arrangements.
By adopting FWA, the commission also believed that it could enhance their efficiency and safeguard their health, safety, and welfare.
However, it reiterated that government agencies and LGUs that their chosen FWAs must be implemented without “compromising the continuous delivery of public service, especially for offices with frontline services.”
“We are open to recommendations from government agencies and other stakeholders as we craft people-centric solutions, especially those that will address transport problems, but what remains paramount is ensuring uninterrupted delivery of services to the citizenry,” Nograles added.
The commission then recommended its policy and various forms of FWAs to ensure organizational agility, resiliency, and public service continuity.
It said that under CSC MC No. 6, government agencies can implement any of the following FWAs to provide support mechanisms for government officials and workers:
The first is the “Flexiplace” — an output-oriented work arrangement that permits government officials or workers to operate temporarily at a location other than their office, subject to consent from the office or agency head.
This set-up, the commission pointed out entails working from home, satellite offices, or other defined fixed places.
On the other hand, “work shifting” is a work arrangement for offices or agencies that must follow workplace health and safety regulations or that are legally mandated to run continuously for 24 hours every day.
Agencies have the option to set flexible work schedules for their representatives and staff beginning at 7 a.m. up until 7 p.m. daily while making sure that the required 40-hour workweek is followed.
A “skeleton workforce,” meanwhile, CSC said refers to a work arrangement in which the bare minimum of officials or workers is needed to report to work and deliver services when full staffing is not feasible.
Furthermore, the “compressed workweek" reduces the typical 40-hour workweek, which is spread over five days — to four days or less, depending on how practical it is for employees or government officials.