QUEZON CITY – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded state workers to strictly observe government working hours. The CSC issued the reminder through Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2017, which reiterates the policy on government office hours, and penalties for unauthorized absences, tardiness in reporting for duty, and loafing during office hours.
The reminder came in the wake of reports of government officials and employees not observing prescribed offices hours and failing to account for their attendance.
“These acts are detrimental to public service thus we are reminding government workers of all departments and agencies to render eight hours of work from Monday to Friday, or not less than 40 hours a week,” said CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala.
The CSC chairperson explained that even those assigned in the field have to account for their attendance by accomplishing the proper form which serves as their daily time record.
Heads of agencies and other presidential appointees need not punch in the Bundy clock, but attendance and all absences of such officers must be recorded.
The CSC warns that falsification or irregularities in the keeping of time records will render the officer or employee administratively liable without prejudice to criminal prosecution as the circumstances warrant.
Government workers were also warned that loafing during regular office hours is a grave offense and is punishable by suspension of six months to one year for the first offense, and dismissal from the service for the second offense.
“Frequent unauthorized absences from duty during regular office hours constitute loafing, and it results in inefficiency and non-performance of duty which adversely affects the prompt delivery of service to the public,” the CSC chairperson added.
Meanwhile, Section 22, Rule XIV, Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V of Executive Order No. 292 provides: “An officer or employee in the civil service shall be considered habitually absent if one incurs unauthorized absences exceeding the allowable 2.5 days monthly leave credit under the Leave Law for at least three months in a semester or at least three consecutive months.”
“It is the duty of agency heads to ensure that all officers and employees under them will strictly observe the prescribed office hours,” said Bala. She urged government offices to review their policies on the observance of government work hours and ensure that measures are in place to deter unauthorized absences, tardiness in reporting for duty, and loafing during office hours. (CSC)