CSC clarifies rules on Covid-19 work set up

To ensure safety and continuous service of government workers despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the Civil Service Commission – Region 5 (CSC-RO5) clarified the guidelines for alternative work arrangements and support mechanisms especially for workers belonging to the vulnerable groups.

“Government agencies may adopt any or a combination of five alternative work arrangement to ensure safety and continuous service of government workers despite the Covid-19 pandemic,” CSC-RO5 information officer Rona Jane Nuñez said.

“Government agencies may adopt any or a combination of five alternative work arrangements: work-from-home, skeletal workforce, compressed workweek, staggered working hours or other alternative work arrangements,” Nuñez said.

These work arrangements shall be adopted while the country is on the period of state of national emergency due to Covid-19 pandemic, she said.

Under the CSC guidelines, employees aged below 21 and above 60 years old, as well as those with health risks, pregnant and residing in areas under general community quarantine shall be under work-from-home arrangement except when their services are indispensable under the circumstances or when office work is permitted.

“Work-from-home refers to an output-oriented work arrangement that authorizes the worker to produce outputs/results and accomplishments outside of the office,” Nuñez said.

Skeletal workforce on the other hand refers to a work arrangement where a minimum number of employees is required to man the office to render service when full staffing is not possible.

Government workers may also opt for four-day or compressed workweek so long as the required 40-hour workweek has been delivered.

“In our CSC offices, we adopt the four-day workweek from Monday to Thursday. Our Fridays are allotted for disinfection and decontamination activities in our office.

Offices that observe work shifting or flexible working time may adopt the staggered working hours. Moreover, the agency head shall ensure that the employees are available for required work duties outside of core hours.

Government agencies may also adopt other alternative work arrangements or combine work arrangements that are appropriate to their functions and their place of work.

Government offices also are directed to implement proper health protocols and precautionary measures and ensure the safety of their workers in rendering office operations.

For CSC-RO 5, the No Visitor/No Walk-In Clients Policy has been implemented in view of the pandemic.

“Services shall be on per-appointment-basis only. Queries and requests must be sent thru e-mail, messenger, phone call or text message,” Nuñez said.

The CSC eligibility exam has been suspended as well. Notice on resumption of application will be posted. (SAA-PIA5/Albay)