FIRST, it banned the requirement of high heels for women in sales work. Second, it created a rule to require a break from prolonged sitting. Next could be setting aside regulations on hairstyle and attire.
The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has been doing some work without much fanfare but with a lot of impact. Its rules against the high heels and prolonged sitting have long been wished for by employees in government and the private sector but may have been considered as trivial by past administrations. Current labor officials knew that addressing the state of the labor force does not always have to be about pay increases, allowances or tax exemptions.
Last September 24, Department Order 178 signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III took effect. The order removed the requirement of wearing high heels for workers who are required to stand for long periods of time. These are sales women in malls, department stores and retail outlets.
Bello had said the order addresses the health and safety concerns of workers. True. The questions that cropped up after the order was released were on what triggered the decision or how the ruling came about or did men try wearing high heels for hours, and why only now. No matter how the decision was reached, the removal of the high heels requirement was overdue.
Then, the Labor department came out last week with another ruling, this time for the grant of five-minute breaks for every two hours of work sitting down. Department Order 184 of Bello told companies to protect their workers from the risks of prolonged sitting. The order also encouraged workers to reduce sedentary work by interrupting sitting time and substituting it with standing and walking.
A SunStar Philippines report on the order said employers have to ensure that the places where people work are designed to provide space for sitting-standing and ease in mobility.
If work is down in the lower floors, then the canteen could be at the top floor to force employees to take the stairs if there are no elevators. Restrooms could also be positioned at the end of hallways to force people to walk for their restroom breaks. These are the ways to do it, although the Labor department did not dictate on what companies should do.
Health issues related to having sedentary lives are musculoskeletal disorders, high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, diabetes, and obesity. Guidelines on this will take effect late in November.
It is not true that banning high heels and having required standing time are trivial matters. These are matters not of the same import as, perhaps, a 10 percent across-the-board pay increase or tax exemption for workers. But they are non-monetary privileges that increase the person’s worth.
Recognizing that a person’s comfort and health are important are compensation also for their contribution to the company and the economy. That is no small matter.