'Employees may skip work amid heat, but no pay'

Workers may opt not to report for work to avoid scorching heat, but will not get paid for the day, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

- MAYEN JAYMALIN

As provided under DOLE Advisory No.17-2022, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said an employee has the option not to report for work due to dangers linked to extreme heat.

"Extreme heat is a form of weather disturbance, like El Niño. If reporting will expose the worker to danger, whether actual or imminent, then the worker is justified not to report or render work," Laguesma disclosed.

"(This is) not simply because of extreme heat but also due to unsafe and unhealthy conditions," the labor chief pointed out.

The concept of imminent danger applies to all unsafe conditions that may be brought about by human-induced and natural disturbances, including El Niño, Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez explained.

An employee who fails or refuses to work by reason of imminent danger resulting from weather disturbances and similar occurrences is free from administrative sanction.