PINALAWIG ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ang pagpapatupad ng work-from-home scheme.

Sa ilalim ng Department Order No. 237 ay binago ang implementing rules and regulations (IRR) ng telecommuting law, o Republic Act No. 11165 upang maging angkop sa sitwasyon.

Hinimok ng DOLE ang mga employer at empleyado na magkasundo sa paggamit ng telecommuting program na makatutulong umano sa paglago ng ekonomiya.

“To optimize the benefits of technology, the State encourages employers and employees to jointly adopt and implement telecommuting programs that are based on voluntariness and mutual consent, taking into account competencies, available technologies and resources, the nature of the work to be done and other practical circumstances,” sabi ng DOLE.

Nakasaad sa bagong IRR na ang trabaho na ginawa sa alternative workplace ay ikokonsidera na parang trabaho na ginawa rin sa regular workplace ng employer.

Ang terms and conditions ng telecommuting ay hindi maaaring mas mababa sa minimum labor standards.

“All time that an employee is required to be on duty, and all time that an employee is permitted or suffered to work in the alternative workplace shall be counted as hours worked,” dagdag pa ng ahensya.

Ang mga telecommuting empleyado ay dapat umanong itrato gaya ng empleyado na pumupunta sa regular na workplace.