Sitting breaks for workers required to stand for hours take effect Sunday

September 22, 2017

Starting Sunday, workers who stand for long hours, and those who have jobs that require frequent walking will have sitting breaks.

Department Order No 178-17 of the Department of the Labor and Employment (DOLE) will take effect on September 24.

"Please be advised that the Department Order (DO) No. 178-17 was published on 9 September and will be effective on 24 September, 15 days after its publication," said the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) in an advisory posted in its website.

Under the DO, private sector employers are required to provide rest periods to break or cut the time spent on standing or walking. Employers must give employees with accessible seats where they can perform their duties without detriment or affect the efficiency of their jobs.

“We require establishments to provide short breaks for workers.. They should have time to flex or rest their feet to eliminate fatigue or stress. They should be provided with comfortable seats,” DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier said in a statement.

The order also stipulates using comfortable footwear, which does not pinch the feet or toes; well-fitted and non-slipping; provide adequate cushion and support to the arch of the feet; flat or low heels which are not higher than one inch and must be wide-based or wedge type.

"Women, such as salesladies and lady guards, should not be compelled to wear high-heeled shoes in the workplace," said Bello.  DMS