House bill seeks to grant workers heartbreak leave

A BILL has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking to grant heartbreak leaves to government and private sector workers.

Cagayan de Oro City 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan filed House Bill (HB) 9931 on Wednesday, Valentine's Day.

"By offering heartbreak leave and emotional support resources, this legislation presents a win-win scenario for both employees and employers, fostering engagement, reducing costs, and ultimately contributing to a more humane and productive work environment," the bill's explanatory note read.

Under the measure, workers below the age of 25 will be allowed one day of unpaid heartbreak leave annually.

Workers between the ages of 25 and 35 will be allowed to take two days of unpaid heartbreak leave, and those ages 36 and older, three days.

Section 4 of HB 9931 provides that to qualify for the leave, employees must provide "a signed statement confirming the dissolution of their romantic relationship within the past (30) days."

It requires employees to provide their employer with a "written notice of their intention to take" a heartbreak leave "at least 48 hours in advance unless exigent circumstances prevent such notice."

The heartbreak leave "shall not accrue or carry over to subsequent calendar years."

Employees on heartbreak leave "shall continue to be eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance benefits if they meet the applicable requirements."

Section 5 directs the Department of Labor and Employment and the Civil Service Commission to "develop and disseminate evidence-based resources on navigating heartbreak and emotional well-being to government offices, employers and employees."

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