The Civil Service Commission (CSC) advised Muslim government employees on Friday to adopt flexible work schedules during Ramadan, ensuring they can observe fasting while maintaining productivity.
Under the adjusted schedule, regular office hours from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. will shift to a continuous 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. without a noon break. The two-hour difference will not be considered undertime.
Muslim employees are excused from work on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to observe religious practices, according to CSC.
The CSC emphasized that flexible work arrangements align with its policies to support government employees’ well-being while ensuring efficient public service delivery.
Through CSC Resolution No. 00-0227, the agency clarified that the Friday exemption applies to all Fridays of the year, not just during Ramadan.
To comply with the required 40-hour workweek, government offices may adopt flexible work schedules, provided they start no earlier than 7 a.m. and end no later than 7 p.m. These adjustments fall under the guidelines of CSC Memorandum Circular No. 06, issued on June 6, 2022.
Muslim government workers are encouraged to coordinate with their respective agencies to implement flexible working hours in line with these policies.
Ramadan officially started in the Philippines on March 1 and will end by March 31, 2025.