18/05/2020
DOLE Advisory 17-2020: Guidelines on Employment Preservation upon the Resumption of Business Operation
Key Points:
1. All employers whose business operations are allowed to continue, or resume to operate shall observe the minimum health standards. (Section 2)
2. Establishments are highly encouraged to adopt work-from-home or implement telecommuting arrangement. (Section 3)
3. As an alternative to termination of employment or closure of business, any or a combination of the following may be adopted:
(i) transfer of employees to another branch or outlet of the sample employer,
(ii) assignment of employees to other function or position in the same or other branch or outlet of the same employer,
(iii) reduction of normal workdays per day or week,
(iv) job rotation alternately providing workers with work within the workweek or within the month,
(v) partial closure of establishment where some units or departments of the establishments are continued while other units or departments are closed,
(vi) other feasible work arrangement.
4. Employers and employees may agree voluntarily and in writing to temporarily adjust employees’ wage and wage-related benefits as provided for in existing employment contract, company policy or collective bargaining agreement, provided such adjustment shall not exceed 6 months or the period agreed upon in the CBA. After such period, employers and employees shall review their agreement and may renew the same. (Section 5).
5. Employers shall report the alternative working scheme adopted to the DOLE Regional Office. (Section 7).
