SECTION 8: WORK HOURS & HOLIDAY PAY POLICY

I. Purpose

AVCI Veterinary Practice operates on a structured work schedule to ensure continuous patient care and high-quality veterinary services. This policy establishes clear guidelines for working hours, shift assignments, overtime, night shift differential, holiday pay, and Sunday shifts, ensuring fair compensation and compliance with labor laws.
This policy also aligns with the Labor Code of the Philippines (PD 442) and other relevant labor laws regulating work hours and employee compensation.

II. Legal Basis

This policy is based on the following Philippine labor laws and regulations:
1. Labor Code of the Philippines (PD 442) – Governs standard working hours, night shift differential, overtime pay, and holiday compensation.
2. Republic Act No. 11058 (Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act of 2018) – Ensures workplace safety, including veterinary facilities.
3. Republic Act No. 11165 (Telecommuting Act) – Recognizes flexible work arrangements, where applicable.
4. Republic Act No. 10911 (Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act) – Prohibits discrimination in work schedules and assignments.

III. Work Schedule & Shift Assignments

1. Regular Work Schedule (Monday – Saturday)
• Work hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Morning Shift)
• 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Afternoon Shift)
• Lunch Break: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

📌 Any work performed outside the regular day shift schedule (before 9:00 AM, between 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, and after 6:00 PM) is considered overtime.

2. Night Shift Schedule
• 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM (Next Day)
• Employees assigned to night duty are entitled to night shift differential pay (see Section V).

3. Sunday Shift Schedule
• 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
• Lunch Break: 30 minutes included in the shift.
• Employees working on Sundays receive Sunday Premium Pay (30% additional pay).

📌 Employees working outside of these hours without prior approval will not be compensated for unauthorized overtime.

IV. Night Shift Policy

A night shift is a critical duty, as treatment success depends on consistent patient monitoring. Employees assigned to night duty must strictly adhere to the following:

1. Responsibility & Alertness:
◦ Sleeping during night shifts is strictly prohibited. Employees are paid per hour to actively monitor and medicate patients.
◦ Avoiding CCTV view zones is considered a deliberate attempt to evade duty and will be treated as an unauthorized absence.

2. Patient Monitoring & Reporting:
◦ Every hour, the assigned staff must conduct a Basic Physical Exam (PE) per patient, including:
   ▪ Heart Rate
   ▪ Respiratory Rate
   ▪ Body Temperature
◦ The employee must report their status hourly via Viber to the Attending Veterinarian as proof of attendance. Failure to report each hour results in an equivalent hour of absence.

3. Documentation & Progress Notes:
◦ A Progress Report Form is provided per patient. All observations, medications, and PEs must be recorded in real-time.
◦ Delayed recording is strictly prohibited—employees must update the form immediately after conducting a procedure.
◦ Pre-filled progress notes are not allowed, and day shift employees are not permitted to pre-fill night shift logs.

4. Night Shift Differential Pay:
◦ Per Article 86 of the Labor Code, night shift differential pay should not be less than 10% of the employee’s regular wage.
◦ AVCI grants a night shift differential of 15% (effective October 6, 2020) to emphasize the importance of night duty. This is more than the national ordinance of 10% increase.

V. Overtime, Holiday Pay, and Sunday Shifts

1. Overtime Pay
• Overtime work is defined as work beyond eight (8) hours per day.
• Employees required to work overtime must secure prior approval from their supervisor.
• Overtime Pay Calculation (Article 87, Labor Code):
   ◦ 125% of the regular hourly wage for overtime on regular workdays.
   ◦ 130% of the regular hourly wage if overtime is rendered on a rest day or holiday.

2. Holiday Pay
• AVCI follows the Philippine holiday pay schedule, covering:
   ◦ Regular Holidays (e.g., Christmas, New Year, Good Friday)
   ◦ Special Non-Working Holidays (e.g., All Saints’ Day, Chinese New Year)
• Holiday Pay Calculation (Article 94, Labor Code):
   ◦ 100% of daily wage if the employee is not required to work.
   ◦ 200% (double pay) of daily wage if the employee works on a regular holiday.
   ◦ 130% of daily wage if the employee works on a special non-working holiday.

3. Sunday Shifts & Premium Pay
• Sundays are considered rest days, but veterinary clinics require 24/7 operations.
• Employees scheduled for a Sunday shift will receive an additional 30% of their regular wage (Article 93, Labor Code).

📌 Example Computation for Sunday Premium Pay:
• If an employee earns ₱500 per day, the Sunday rate would be:
   ◦ ₱500 × 130% = ₱650 per day (for working on a Sunday).