CSC to gov’t agencies: Adopt flexi work schemes to ease NCR traffic

MANILA – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is encouraging government agencies in Metro Manila to adopt the Policies on Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in the Government in support of current initiatives to improve the traffic situation.

“The National Capital Region (NCR) has the largest number of government workers in the country, with 440,009 or 22.30 percent of career and non-career personnel. The prevailing traffic conditions in the metro not only hinder their mobility but also impact their productivity, particularly for those who commute daily. By adopting the FWA, we can not only enhance their efficiency but also safeguard their health, safety, and welfare,” CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said in a statement on Friday.

Nograles said the Policies on FWAs in the Government, promulgated through CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) 6, s. 2022, were established to institutionalize adaptable and responsive work schemes for civil servants to promote the efficient and effective performance of governmental functions despite disruptive situations, including the worsening traffic situation in the metro.

He, however, emphasized that the approval of the FWA is at the discretion of the head of the agency, provided that stakeholders and clients are assured of continuous delivery of services from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including lunch break, throughout the workweek.

“Atin pong siguruhin na hindi matitigil ang pagbibigay ng maayos, mabilis, at maaasahang serbisyo publiko buong linggo kahit na tayo ay may FWA (Let’s ensure that even with the FWA, we continue to deliver efficient, speedy, and reliable public service),” he said.

Under MC 6, government agencies may choose to adopt any of the six FWAs to enable support mechanisms for government officials and employees.

Flexiplace is an output-oriented work arrangement that authorizes government officials or employees to render service at a location away from their office on a temporary basis duly approved by the head of office/agency. This arrangement includes working from home, a satellite office, or another fixed place.

The compressed workweek is a work arrangement whereby the 40 hours workweek for five days of the government officials or employees is compressed to four days or less, as may be applicable, while skeleton workforce refers to a work arrangement where a minimum number of government officials or employees is required to staff the office to render service when full staffing is not possible.

Work shifting is a work arrangement applicable to offices/agencies mandated by law to operate 24-hour continuous service delivery daily, or to agencies required to observe workplace health and safety protocols.

Flexitime refers to a work arrangement where the agency is allowed to adopt flexible time for its government officials and employees from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, provided that the required 40-hour workweek is met.

Lastly, agencies may adopt a combination of any of these FWAs appropriate or applicable to the mandate/functions of the agency.

Agencies shall formulate guidelines on the adoption of the FWA, which include the tasks allowed to be accomplished outside the office, health, and communication protocols, performance standards and monitoring mechanisms, and the provision of support mechanisms. (PR)