Question Flexible Working Hours for DepEd Non-Teaching Personnel

Good day!

I am a non-teaching personnel of DepEd at the division level. Recently the Central Office issued DepEd Order No. 23, s. 2018 on the Implementation of the Flexible Working Hours for the Non-Teaching Personnel accordingly pursuant to Section 6, Rule XVII of the Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V of EO 292 and CSC Memorandum Circular No. 14, s. 1989.

Paragraph 4 of said department order provides: Flexible working hours starts from 7:00 am to 9:30 am and ends from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm.. The division Administrative Officer announced that
any non-teaching personnel can actually decide to come to the office at any time between 7:00 am to 9:30 am at any day that he/she so desired without prior notice or arrangement as long as he can complete the 8-hour work requirement. What must be the basis for such interpretation? Isn't this a form of "gliding flexible working hours"?

Is the Administrative Officer correct in saying that a non-teaching personnel can decide to come at 7:00am Monday and then decide to report for work at 8:00 am Tuesday, or 8:30 am on Wednesday then 7:30 am on Thursady and 9:00 am on Friday provided that the employee complete 8 hours of work everyday?
Is it safe to go out of the office (without prior notice nor arrangement with the head of office ) at 3:00 pm if for any given day I happened to arrive at 7:00 am as I have already completed the 8-hour work requirement?
What if most employees choose to report for work (again without prior notice or arrangement) at 9:30 am and there are clients coming in at 8:00 am on the belief that regular office hours start at 8:00 am?
If flexi-time is as flexible as interpreted by the Administrative Officer, how would clients know that there are employees who will work after 5:00 pm but not beyond 6:30 pm when employees can always decide on a daily basis at his or her own convenience the flexible working hours to observe?

Please enlighten me on the proper interpretation of flexible working hours. Thank you.

Hi,

Please note that under Section 5, Rule XVII of the Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V of Executive Order No. 292, all government officials and employees are required to render eight working hours a day for five days a week, or a total of 40 hours a week excluding time for lunch. The normal working hours shall be from 8 AM to 12 NN, and 1 PM to 5 PM.

Moreover, section 6, Rule XVII of the said Omnibus Rules, states that flexible working hours may be allowed subject to the discretion of the head of department or agency, provided that the weekly working hours shall not be reduced on the event the department or agency adopts the flexi-time schedule in reporting for work.

As prescribed in CSC MC No. 14, s. 1989, flexi-time should not start earlier than 7 AM and not end later than 7 PM. In no case shall the flexi-time arrangement be occasionally changed by the employee at his or her convenience.

Since flexible working hours is subject to the discretion of the head of department or agency and considering that the Secretary of Education issued DepEd Order No. 23, s. 2018, it is advised that you seek clarification from that office as to the interpretation and application of said department order.

However, please note further that those who fail to observe the eight-hour workday through consistent tardiness, undertime, and loafing from duty during office hours may be administratively charged and penalized with suspension or dismissal from service pursuant to civil service law, rules, and regulations.

Hello,

What are the valid reasons that we will be granted approval for flexi time? Would it include requesting for flexi, like 9:00am to 6:00pm due to distance of residence?

thanks

Hi,

Since flexible working hours is subject to the discretion of the head of department or agency, it is best to be clarified by your office's head as to valid grounds to allow for a flexi-time schedule.

Hi,

Since flexible working hours is subject to the discretion of the head of department or agency, it is best to be clarified by your office's head as to valid grounds to allow for a flexi-time schedule.