Cagayan de Oro 1st District Representative Lordan Suan has introduced two bills aimed at providing support to single employees in the country. The first bill, HB No. 9932, known as the Singles Well-Being Leave Act, suggests granting single employees in both public and private sectors an unpaid leave on February 15, the day after Valentine’s Day. Suan emphasized the need to alleviate social pressures faced by unmarried individuals, particularly after Valentine’s Day, which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and stress.
The proposed measure allows employees to request leave by submitting a written request to their immediate supervisor at least 48 hours in advance. Suan highlighted similar initiatives in progressive countries like Japan and South Korea, indicating positive outcomes and minimal burden on employers due to the self-declared nature of the leave.
Suan’s second bill, HB No. 9931, titled the Heartbreak Recovery and Resilience Act, suggests providing unpaid leave for employees following a breakup. The duration of leave varies based on age, with one day for those below 25 years old, two days for individuals aged 25 to 35, and three days for workers aged 36 and above. Suan emphasized the bill’s role in fostering gender equality by addressing potential disparities in economic and emotional hardship experienced by women after breakups.
To qualify for heartbreak leave, employees must provide a signed statement confirming the dissolution of their romantic relationship within the past thirty days and give written notice to their employer at least 48 hours in advance. Both bills also mandate the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) to develop guidelines and implement confidential emotional support programs within workplaces, aligning with the growing global focus on mental health in the workplace.