Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan files two bills that aim to provide “heartbreak” and “wellness” leaves for single employees in the country. In filing the proposed laws, the legislator stressed the importance of giving singles a break from the social pressures that come with being unmarried or without a partner. Stock image / INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has filed two bills that aim to grant single employees in the country “heartbreak” and “wellness” leaves.
In proposing the measure, Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan stressed the importance of relieving unmarried individuals or those without partners of social pressures.
Suan’s HB No. 9932 or the proposed Singles Well-Being Leave Act seeks to give single employees in the public and private sector an unpaid leave on February 15, a day after Valentine’s Day.
“While Valentine’s Day celebrates love and affection, for single employees, it can be a minefield of social pressure, loneliness, and commercialized reminders of their relationship status. All of these factors significantly influence their mental health and, consequently, their productivity at work,” Suan said in the explanatory note for HB No. 9932.
“Studies have shown the negative impact of Valentine’s Day on single individuals’ mental health, with magnified feelings of loneliness, stress, and pressure to conform to societal pressures. Offering a day for self-care and emotional processing mitigates the negative effect on work productivity,” he added.
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Under the proposal, employees can be allowed to avail of the leave through a written request to their immediate supervisor at least 48 hours before the date of leave.
Suan said identical benefits have been provided in other progressive countries and have shown positive effects.
“Similar initiatives already exist in countries like Japan and South Korea, demonstrating the feasibility and potential positive outcomes of ‘Singles Day’ holidays,” he noted.
“The proposed measure also aligns with the growing global focus on mental health in the workplace,” he added. “Importantly, potential concerns about employer burden are minimized by the single-day allowance and the self-declared nature of the leave.”
“Additionally, the proposed measure does not diminish existing leave policies but simply creates an inclusive option for a specific demographic and its unique challenges,” he also said.
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Suna’s HB No. 9931, or the proposed Heartbreak Recovery and Resilience Act, meanwhile, suggests a one-day unpaid leave after heartbreak for employees below 25 years old, two days unpaid leave for those between 25 to 35 years old, and three days unpaid leave for workers 36 years old and above.
“Beyond addressing individual needs, the bill fosters gender equality in the workplace. Research suggests women disproportionately experience economic and emotional hardship following breakups. By offering equal access to leave, the Heartbreak Recovery and Resilience Act promotes equity and addresses potential disparities,” the lawmaker said.
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“To qualify for heartbreak leave, employees must provide their employer with a signed statement confirming the dissolution of their romantic relationship within the past thirty (30) days […] Employees must provide their employer written notice of their intention to take heartbreak leave at least 48 hours in advance unless exigent circumstances prevent such notice,” he added.
Both proposed measures task the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) to develop guidelines and implement confidential emotional support programs within workplaces.