ANALYSIS ON RENDERING OVERTIME IN GOVERNMENT

By hgmt
 INTRODUCTION

Overtime work is work rendered beyond the normal 8 work hours on scheduled
workdays, and those rendered on rest days or scheduled days off, holidays, and
special non-working days, both exclusive of time for lunch and rest. Under different
circumstances organizations resort to overtime work to reach targets and to deliver
services during emergency or critical situations. Per CSC-DBM JC No. 1. S. 2015
“Policies and Guidelines on Overtime Services and Overtime Pay for Government
Employees”, government employees were allowed render overtime work with
remuneration through Compensatory Time-Off or Overtime Pay.

This paper aims to identify the advantages and disadvantages of Overtime

Work in Government Office with reference to CSC-DBM JC No. 1. s. 2015 “Policies
and Guidelines on Overtime Services and Overtime Pay for Government Employees”.

Employees and the employer (government office) have different perception

about Overtime Services. Some employees may view it as an opportunity to earn more
while others might view it negatively as it will consume their rest time or the opportunity
to be with their family. On the other hand employers will be able to achieve target and
realize their mandate, but this could be another expense.

Who really benefits from Overtime? The employee or the employers? I believe
“it depends”. Both parties benefit when the services required from the office is
delivered and the employees are well compensated.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

On November 2015, CSC-DBM JC No. 1. s. 2015 “Policies and Guidelines on

Overtime Services and Overtime Pay for Government Employees” was issued
granting clearance to issue joint circular granting flexibility to agencies to pay overtime
services in cash, subject to certain conditions and limitations such as the nature to
work to be rendered, overtime payment limit, fund source, reportorial requirements,
and other pertinent measures to efficiently and effectively implement the grant of
Overtime Pay aside from Compensatory Time-Off.

Here are some of the advantages:

1. Delivery of services required and achievement of targets.

In CSC-DBM JC No. 1. s. 2015, guidelines on the Priority Activities that may

warrant rendition on overtime services were provided. Through overtime services, the
organization will be able to deliver the services required from them especially during
emergency and critical situations through providing quick responses; performing relief,
rehabilitation and reconstruction services during calamities and disasters; providing
services rendered by drivers.
 When it comes to reportorial requirements, the organization can use overtime
to prepare the necessary report in order to meet scheduled deadlines as required by
the Congress, Office of the President, Commission on Audit, Dept. of Budget and
Management and National Economic and Development Authority.

Through Overtime the implementation of special projects or priority programs

embodied in Presidential directives will not be hampered. The same with the
completion of infrastructure and other projects.

Because government employees were given additional time to perform their

tasks the probability of them achieving their target is higher-this constitutes better
performance. And since the targets were met the organization would be able to realize
their objective. There is a linkage between employee performance and organizational
performance.

2. Overtime Pay (Additional Income) as a motivator

Who wouldn’t want an additional income? Overtime can help an employee earn
more money. For most employees, an Overtime Pay is their motivator to render
overtime services. Employees would want to earn more to support their personal and
family financial needs.
3. Recognition

If an employee works longer through overtime, he/she could be perceived as

an employee who willing to get the job done. Employers or their supervisors are likely
to recognize their extra work and productivity which contributed to the realization of
the organization’s objective. The feeling of being recognized is a contributory factor on
how satisfied the employee is with their job, their job satisfaction can be expressed or
is evident on their performance.

Disadvantages of rendering overtime services:

1. Less time for social and family life

The more time an employee spends in the office, the less time he/she is at
home. Extra hours at work can make an employee miss out on social events, family
time, or other functions important to their life and relationships outside work.

In an article in http://www.dailymail.co.uk on 2012, they found out that spending

too much time at work is the biggest regret parents have about their children’s early
years. Two thirds admitted they would do things differently if they could have the time
again.

Not having the desired work-life balance may upset the employee.
 2. Burnout

Longer working hours may cause employees to quickly tire from their jobs that
may lead to fatigue. Overtime can be significantly more tiring if an employee need to
work for several hours consecutively. As time goes on, employee might find that their
exhaustion on the job isn’t worth the extra pay. An employee who doesn’t make time
for self-care eventually damages their output and are less productive.

3. Working longer for less

In government offices, employees work overtime in the exigency of public

service, though they are entitled for a Compensatory Time-Off if not Overtime Pay they
won’t be able to use all their Compensatory Leave Credits because their presence at
the workplace is needed and they are recalled.

4. Additional expense to the government

Since government employees are now entitled to an overtime pay, this is an

additional expense to the office. If only employees were able to prepare and submit
their reports, conduct and implement projects and programs during normal working
hours then there would be no need to spend for the overtime premium.

If the organization did not have any budget for the overtime pay then their
savings will be reduced because overtime pay will be taken from it. Aside from the
overtime pay the organization need to spend for the operation and utility expense
(office supplies and electricity).

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Allow overtime services only when necessary e.g. giving quick responses
during emergency or critical situations, providing relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction
and other work or services during calamities and disasters, completion of infrastructure
and other government projects and implementation of special or priority projects and
programs.

Encourage government employees to accomplish tasks within normal working

hours to prevent the organization from having additional expense. This could be done
through revisiting the Strategic Performance Management System of the organization,
the target set in the Individual Performance Commitment Review of the employees
must be realistic with consideration to the working environment and the resources
needed for the task.

Strengthen the monitoring of overtime services to determine if it is cost-efficient

and cost-effective.
 Give employees the chance to have a work-life balance. The workplace that
enables employees to achieve work-life balance is particularly motivating and
gratifying to employees, which makes them happy. Employee job satisfaction has
effect in employee performance.

REFERENCES:

CSC-DBM JC No. 1. S. 2015 “Policies and Guidelines on Overtime Services and

Overtime Pay for Government Employees”

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2203025/Spending-time-work-children-
young-parents-chief-regret.html