Two Long Weekends in November 2009

[SgtVinaDotCom]

I posted a blog last September 23 about the declaration of new national holidays in the Philippines. On October 21, GMA declared the two (2) long weekends Philippines is going to have this November. First week would be October 31 (Saturday), November 1 and November 2.

November 1 is All Saints' Day and November 2 is All Souls' day which are special non-working holidays.

The second is a four-day weekend from November 27 which is Friday to November 30, a Monday. November 27 and 28 have been declared a non-working holiday to observe the Eid'l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, held by Muslims after the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. This is based on Proclamation 1808 signed in April.

As for November 30, is a regular non-working holiday to commemorate Bonifacio Day.

Are these long weekends a good thing or a bad thing? What is the difference between a Regular and Specian Non-Working Holiday?

For some, these long weekends is good news to them. Who doesn't want time off from work and still getting paid? Everybody except some employees.

Regular Holiday - a worker (regular or contractual employee) is entitled 100% of his daily wage even if he did not report for work. 200% of his daily wage if he report for work on a regular holiday.

Special Holiday - "no work, no pay" principle applies during special days and on such other special days as may be proclaimed by the President or by Congress. Workers who are not required or permitted to work on special days are NOT ENTITLED to any compensation. Those who work on special days is entitled to additional 30% of their daily wage for a total of 130%.

With regular holidays, no employee has any problem about getting paid on their time off, but for special holidays, many employees are affected specially those who are on a no work, no pay basis.

Companies are also affected with these announced new holidays. Their operations and financial activities will be disrupted due to lack of employees for that certain day. Some will caused more because they will require an employee to work on a holiday to reach their quota/deadlines and pay them more of their basic rate.

There is nothing wrong observing new holidays. There's nothing wrong paying respect to the belief of a different sectors. What makes me think about this new declarations was that, why there's a need to declare new holiday one by one? Isn't there anyone who can do the research of which practices and beliefs should be considered as holidays?

If ALL holidays (declared and will be declared by GMA) will be issued in one particular Proclamation, the employers and employees will have a chance to prepare themselves on those days to avoid problems on their daily operations. Companies follow certain procedures on their operations. Some cannot afford to lose employees or dime just because GMA declared today is the death of Juan dela Cruz and it should be made a holiday to pay respect.

We all want LONG WEEKENDS to spend more time with our family, to get a good rest and just enjoy a work-free day. I'm just saying that after that long weekend, a pile of back logs are there waiting on your table and seeking less time to meet your deadlines. It will be more stressful to you. Knowing the holidays (DECLARED/PROCLAIMED) will give you a heads up and will give you the opportunity to manage your time in finishing all your task before the holiday. And while spending time with your family, you will have no worries about the deadlines you left in the office.