The Department of Labor and Employment is returning to a standard five-day workweek starting June 1.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will officially reinstate its traditional five-day workweek across all offices nationwide beginning June 1, 2026.
The directive, signed by newly appointed Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino on May 28, 2026, revokes the temporary four-day compressed workweek (CWW) arrangement that the department had observed for over two months.
Nationwide Scope of Reversion
According to the official memorandum, the standard five-day workweek schedule will be uniformly enforced across all internal sectors:
Central bureaus and service units
All DOLE regional offices
All attached agencies under the department's jurisdiction
Transitioning from Energy Protocols
The initial shift to a compressed workweek was implemented in March 2026. This followed Memorandum Circular No. 114 issued by the Office of the President, which directed government instrumentalities to strictly adopt energy conservation protocols amid global fuel market volatility and tensions in the Middle East.
While DOLE noted a measurable reduction in its power and fuel consumption during the interim period, leadership determined that a return to regular onsite operations is necessary.
Prioritizing Uninterrupted Public Service
In the directive, Secretary Tolentino emphasized that as the primary agency responsible for enforcing labor standards and providing social protection, DOLE must satisfy the non-impediment clauses of public service.
Reverting to the regular five-day structure ensures that workers, employers, and the general public have uninterrupted access to crucial department resources—such as permits, clearances, registrations, and dispute resolution—without the limits imposed by compressed scheduling.
Despite the return to regular operating hours, DOLE management assured the public that internal energy-saving protocols and strict utility management will remain active across all branches.
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