Event Details
Last October 2020, the Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) issued Department Order No. 215 series of 2020 known as the Extension of Floating Status. While there has been expressed opposition, the agency contends that D.O. 215 was passed in order to preserve employment during these challenging times and help employers recover from losses due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
Under the Labor Code, the employer-employee relationship may be suspended in case of suspension of operation of the business or undertaking of the employer for a period not exceeding six months. This is more popularly known as floating status, or temporary lay-off. Since the lay-off is only temporary, the employment status of the employee is not deemed terminated, but merely suspended. In such instance, while still considered employees, they will not be given their salaries. When the allowable period is up, the employee can either be retrenched with separation pay or asked to return to work.
Under DO 215, the employer and the employees (through the union or with the assistance of a representative of DOLE) can meet in good faith for the purpose of extending this floating status for up to another six months.
Learn more about this order in a forum with the national government agency mandated to formulate and implement policies and programs, and serve as the policy-advisory arm of the Executive Branch in the field of labor and employment.
