FOLLOWING the cancellation of work in government offices on Monday, July 21, 2025, the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) is urging the private sector to do the same amid the torrential rain and massive flooding in several parts of the country.
Citing Labor Advisory 17 - 2022, the BWC said it is advisable for firms to just suspend work in order to avoid putting at risk their employees.
"Employers in the private sector may, in the exercise of management prerogative and in coordination with the safety and health committee, or safety officer, or any other responsible company officer, suspend work to ensure the safety and health of their employees during weather disturbances and similar occurrences," said the BWC.
But if they opt to continue operations, the bureau said employees who will fail to report to work must not be held accountable.
It said this is because the same labor advisory states that there is no liability in case of failure or refusal to work of affected employees.
"Employees, who fail or refuse to work by reason of imminent danger resulting from weather disturbances and similar occurrences, shall not be subject to any administrative sanction," said the BWC.
However, it noted that if the working day is unworked, the employee is not entitled to regular pay.
This is except when there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement granting payment of wages on the said day or when the employee is allowed to utilize his/her accrued leave credits.
On the other hand, if the day is worked, the worker is entitled to full regular pay provided that he/she has rendered work for not less than six hours.
If less than six hours of work, BWC said the employee shall only be entitled to proportionate amount of regular pay. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)