In an effort to promote work-life balance and to address Metro Manila’s growing traffic problem and, a ‘work from bill’ has currently been approved by the Senate on its final reading.
“We want to push for our Filipino workers to have a meaningful work-life balance by encouraging employers to explore telecommuting as a way of allowing work flexibility,” said senator Joel Villanueva said in a statement on Senate Bill 1033. “Gusto nating bigyan ng importansya ang oras sa pamilya na nababawasan dahil na rin kailangang pumunta sa trabaho ng ating mga manggagawa. Kung tutuusin, dahil sa traffic, ‘yung oras sana na ay pwede nilang gamitin upang makapagpahinga o makasama ang pamilya ay nawawala.”
“Gusto nating bigyan ng importansya ang oras sa pamilya na nababawasan dahil na rin kailangang pumunta sa trabaho ng ating mga manggagawa…”
The bill was approved 22-0 on May 22, 2017. Once passed into law, 0r after the House approves it on its third reading, it will not only allow workers to spend more time with their families, hopefully ease the severe traffic problems, but also protect home-based workers. In accordance with the bill, companies will still have the choice whether or not to implement telecommuting. So basically, it benefits both the employees and their employers.
“Employers must ensure that measures are taken to prevent the telecommuting employees from being isolated from the rest of the working community in the company,” Villanueva told Rappler. “The employers should also be responsible for taking the appropriate measures with regard to software to ensure the protection of data used and processed by the telecommuting employee for professional purposes.”
“Employers must ensure that measures are taken to prevent the telecommuting employees from being isolated from the rest of the working community in the company.”
Since one of the main aims of the bill is to provide workers with the chance to spend more time with their families, let’s check out what real parents had to say about it.
Over on theAsianparent Community, a Q&A forum app and community for parents, one mom began the discussion by asking, “As parents, what do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed 4-day work week in the Philippines? Are you in favor of it?”
“Although mas mahaba yung working hours within the 4-day work week, on the brighter side is you get to spend 3 full days with the family. Sana mapasa na siya!”
“That’ll be great for sure!” wrote Janine M. in response. “Although mas mahaba yung working hours within the 4-day work week, on the brighter side is you get to spend 3 full days with the family. Sana mapasa na siya!”
“Good news for me ! I hope mag-go through yung panukala na yan para naman mas marami tayong time sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. For sure ma-dadagdagan ng oras sa work pero worth it naman pagkatapos,” wrote Imelda P.
“I think a 4-day work week sounds good,” shared Carla P. “Aksaya sa oras kasi ang pagba-biyahe. Ako, mas titiisin kong mag-trabaho ng long hours, kung magkaka extra full day naman ako with my family.”
While some parents expressed their concern that a shorter work week could mean longer work hours, they all agree that its benefits definitely outweigh the perceived disadvantages.
Share your thoughts on this (hopefully) soon-to-be passed law in the comments below!
READ: Work-Life Balance: How to keep work stress from ruining your home life
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