The increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country affected workers and businesses. As health and safety protocols remain a priority, there is a need to regulate mobility, especially in areas with heightened quarantine restrictions. However, the lack of baseline data to determine the number of Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs), particularly those required to report to their offices physically, makes it challenging to monitor and control COVID-19 transmissions.
This study analyzed the implementation of work-from-home arrangements within areas with heightened COVID-19 restrictions to provide baseline data on employees' eligibility to undergo a telecommuting and work-from-home arrangement. The study's findings revealed that certain job functions and areas are feasible for a WFH and telecommuting arrangement. In terms of mobility, place of origin and distance from establishment affect the mobility of persons in the region. Moreover, a company’s readiness and capacity to adopt a WFH arrangement depends on the company's resources and capital criteria for eligibility and monitoring data privacy. The analysis may aid the policymakers in determining the maximum capacity of allowable workers in workplaces. Similarly, the study recommends a list of functional areas and job categories feasible for a WFH arrangement. Furthermore, the study also suggested strengthening social dialogue through conducting sectoral consultations with stakeholders to develop a standardized template agreement, which can also guide the companies in implementing WFH arrangement. Through the information gathered in the study, the Department can also perceive the readiness of various establishments in the country to implement such work arrangements, which can aid the policymakers in their post-COVID programs and policies.
KEYWORDS: work-from-home, telecommuting, alternative work arrangement, new normal
RESEARCHERS: Franchesca Rose S. Castillo, Joyce Anne S. Lumactud