[Featured Circular] DBM-COA Policies on Flexible Work Arrangements for COS and JO workers in the Government

What is the Circular for?

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit (COA) jointly issued DBM-COA Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2022 to provide guidelines on the adoption of flexible work arrangements for contract of service (COS) and job order workers in the government.

Purpose

Since government agencies are beginning to adopt flexible work arrangements, as authorized under CSC Memorandum Circular No. 06, s. 2022, there is a need to integrate work requirements and welfare of workers engaged on a COS and JO basis, to make government policy inclusive, in view of the circumstances brought about by natural and man-made calamities, disasters, and other similar situations.

Applicability

The guidelines prescribed under the joint circular are applicable to the following:

• National Government Agencies
• Constitutional Offices enjoying fiscal autonomy
• State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
• Government-owned or Controlled Corporation (GOCCs)
• Local Water Districts
• Local Government Units
• Others Concerned

These government agencies are allowed to develop their own policies with regards to the adoption of flexible work arrangements according to the joint circular.

Scope and Coverage

Only COS and JO workers directly engaged by the above government agencies are covered by the joint circular. Institutional COS workers are excluded from the coverage (i.e., janitorial, security, consultancy, and other support services).

Authorized Flexible Work Arrangements

Skeleton Workforce — refers to a work arrangement where a minimum number of government officials or employees is required to man the office to render service when full staffing is not possible.

Flexiplace — refers to an output-oriented work arrangement that authorizes government officials or employees to render service at a location away from their office, either in the home/residence of the official or employee, agency satellite office, or another fixed place, on a temporary basis duly approved by the head of office/agency.

Compressed Workweek — refers to a work arrangement whereby the forty (40) hours workweek for five (5) days of the government officials or employees is compressed to four (4) days or less, as may be applicable.

Work Shifting — refers to a work arrangement applicable to offices/agencies mandated by law to operate 24-hour continuous service delivery on a daily basis, or to agencies required to observe workplace health and safety protocols. This is also applicable to occupational groups that provide security and safety to agency personnel and/or property.

Flexitime — refers to a work arrangement where the agency is allowed to adopt flexible time for its government officials and employees from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on a daily basis, provided that the required forty (40) hours workweek is complied with.

Combination of Flexible Work Arrangements — refers to a work arrangement whereby the agency may adopt a combination of any of the allowable flexible work arrangements instituted by the CSC that is appropriate or applicable to the mandate/functions of the agency.

Other Important Provisions

• JO and COS workers engaged in flexible work arrangements shall be provided with appropriate support mechanisms as identified in the JC
• Annual review of the internal policies adopted by the agencies is mandatory.

More details

The JC is posted in the DBM website and may be printed or downloaded through this link.