Are you a night worker? What are your rights?
What is the coverage of Republic Act (RA) No. 10151? The law on night work applies not only to women but to all persons, who shall be employed or permitted or suffered to work at night, except those employed in agriculture, stock raising, fishing, maritime transport and inland navigation, during a period of not less than seven (7) consecutive hours, including the interval from midnight to five o'clock in the morning, to be determined by the DOLE Secretary, after consulting the workers’ representatives/labor organizations and employers.
Who is a night worker? "Night worker" means any employed person whose work covers the period from 10 o'clock in the evening to 6 o'clock the following morning, provided that the worker performs no less than seven (7) consecutive hours of work.
Right to Undergo Health Assessment. At their request, workers shall have the right to undergo a health assessment without charge and to receive advice on how to reduce or avoid health problems associated with their work:
[1] Before taking up an assignment as a night worker;
[2] At regular intervals during such an assignment, or;
[3] If they experience health problems during such an assignment.
With the exception of a finding of unfitness for night work, the findings of such assessments shall be confidential and shall not be used to their detriment, subject, however, to applicable company policies.
Available Mandatory Facilities. Mandatory facilities shall be made available for workers performing night work which include the following:
[1] Suitable first-aid and emergency facilities as provided for under Rule 1960 (Occupational Health Services) of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS);
[2] Lactation station in required companies pursuant to R.A. No. 10028 (The Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009) ;
[3] Separate toilet facilities for men and women;
[4] Facility for eating with potable drinking water; and
[5] Facilities for transportation and/or properly ventilated temporary sleeping or resting quarters, separate for male and female workers, shall be provided except where any of the following circumstances is present: (i.) Where there is an existing company guideline, practice or policy, CBA or any similar agreement between management and workers providing for an equivalent or superior benefit, or; (ii.) Where the start or end of the night work does not fall within 12 midnight to 5 o'clock in the morning, or; (iii.) Where the workplace is located in an area that is accessible twenty-four (24) hours to public transportation, or; (iv.) Where the number of employees does not exceed a specified number as may be provided for by the DOLE Secretary in subsequent issuances.
Unfitness to Work for Health Reasons Resulting in Transfer. Night workers who are certified by competent physician, as unfit to render night work, due to health reasons, shall be transferred to a job for which they are fit to work whenever practicable. The transfer of the employee must be to a similar or equivalent position and in good faith.
If such transfer is not practicable or the workers are unable to render night work for a continuous period of not less than six (6) months upon the certification of a competent public health authority, these workers shall be granted the same company benefits as other workers who are unable to work due to illness.
A night worker certified as temporarily unfit for night work for a period of less than six (6) months shall be given the same protection against dismissal or notice of dismissal as other workers who are prevented from working for health reasons.
Women Night Workers Alternative Measures for Pregnant and Nursing Employees. Employers shall ensure that measures shall be undertaken to provide an alternative to night work for pregnant and nursing employees who would otherwise be called upon to perform such work. Such measures may include the transfer to day work, where it is possible, as well as the provision of social security benefits or an extension of maternity leave.Transfer to Day Shift. As far as practicable, pregnant or nursing employees shall be assigned to day work, before and after childbirth for a period of at least sixteen (16) weeks which shall be divided between the time before and after childbirth.
Medical Certification. Medical certificate issued by competent physician (i.e. , Obstetrician or Gynecologist, Pediatrician, etc.) is necessary for the grant of: (i.) additional periods of assignment to day work during pregnancy or after childbirth other than the period mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, provided that the length of additional period should not be more than four (4) weeks or for a longer period as may be agreed upon by the employer and the worker; (ii.) extension of maternity leave, and; (iii.) clearance to render night work.
Provision of Social Security Benefits. Social security benefits, such as paid maternity leave shall be provided to women workers in accordance with the provisions of R.A. No. 8282 (Social Security Act of 1997) and other existing company policy or CBA.
Extension of Maternity Leave. Where transfer to day work is not possible, a woman employee may be allowed to extend, as recommended by a competent physician, her maternity leave without pay or using earned leave credits of the worker, if any.
Non-Diminution of Maternity Leave Benefits under Existing Laws. The law and its rules shall not be construed to authorize diminution or reduction of the protection and benefits connected with maternity leave under existing law.
Protection against Dismissal & Loss of Benefits Attached to Employment Status, Seniority and Access to Promotion. Where no alternative work can be provided to a woman employee who is not in a position to render night work, she shall be allowed to go on leave or on extended maternity leave, using her earned leave credits.
A woman employee shall not be dismissed for reasons of pregnancy, childbirth and childcare responsibilities. She shall not lose the benefits regarding her employment status, seniority, and access to promotion which may attach to her regular night work position.
Night Work Compensation. The compensation for night workers in the form of working time, pay or similar benefits shall recognize the exceptional nature of night work.
Consequently, such compensation shall include, but not be limited to, working time, pay and benefits under the Labor Code, as amended and under existing laws, such as service incentive leave, rest day, night differential pay, 13th month pay, and other benefits as provided for by law, company policy or CBA.
Social Services. Appropriate social services shall be provided for night workers and, where necessary, for workers performing night work.
Night Work Schedules. The employer shall at its own initiative, consult the recognized workers' representatives or union in the establishment on the details of the night work schedules and the forms of organization of night work that are best adapted to the establishment and its personnel, as well as on the occupational health measures and social services which are required. In establishments employing night workers, consultation shall take place regularly and appropriate changes of work schedule shall be agreed upon before it is implemented.
Women Night Workers Alternative Measures for Pregnant and Nursing Employees. Employers shall ensure that measures shall be undertaken to provide an alternative to night work for pregnant and nursing employees who would otherwise be called upon to perform such work. Such measures may include the transfer to day work, where it is possible, as well as the provision of social security benefits or an extension of maternity leave.Transfer to Day Shift. As far as practicable, pregnant or nursing employees shall be assigned to day work, before and after childbirth for a period of at least sixteen (16) weeks which shall be divided between the time before and after childbirth.
Medical Certification. Medical certificate issued by competent physician (i.e. , Obstetrician or Gynecologist, Pediatrician, etc.) is necessary for the grant of: (i.) additional periods of assignment to day work during pregnancy or after childbirth other than the period mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, provided that the length of additional period should not be more than four (4) weeks or for a longer period as may be agreed upon by the employer and the worker; (ii.) extension of maternity leave, and; (iii.) clearance to render night work.
Provision of Social Security Benefits. Social security benefits, such as paid maternity leave shall be provided to women workers in accordance with the provisions of R.A. No. 8282 (Social Security Act of 1997) and other existing company policy or CBA.
Extension of Maternity Leave. Where transfer to day work is not possible, a woman employee may be allowed to extend, as recommended by a competent physician, her maternity leave without pay or using earned leave credits of the worker, if any.
Non-Diminution of Maternity Leave Benefits under Existing Laws. The law and its rules shall not be construed to authorize diminution or reduction of the protection and benefits connected with maternity leave under existing law.Protection against Dismissal & Loss of Benefits Attached to Employment Status, Seniority and Access to Promotion. Where no alternative work can be provided to a woman employee who is not in a position to render night work, she shall be allowed to go on leave or on extended maternity leave, using her earned leave credits.
A woman employee shall not be dismissed for reasons of pregnancy, childbirth and childcare responsibilities. She shall not lose the benefits regarding her employment status, seniority, and access to promotion which may attach to her regular night work position.
Night Work Compensation. The compensation for night workers in the form of working time, pay or similar benefits shall recognize the exceptional nature of night work.
Consequently, such compensation shall include, but not be limited to, working time, pay and benefits under the Labor Code, as amended and under existing laws, such as service incentive leave, rest day, night differential pay, 13th month pay, and other benefits as provided for by law, company policy or CBA.
Social Services. Appropriate social services shall be provided for night workers and, where necessary, for workers performing night work.
Night Work Schedules. The employer shall at its own initiative, consult the recognized workers' representatives or union in the establishment on the details of the night work schedules and the forms of organization of night work that are best adapted to the establishment and its personnel, as well as on the occupational health measures and social services which are required. In establishments employing night workers, consultation shall take place regularly and appropriate changes of work schedule shall be agreed upon before it is implemented.
