A member of the House of Representatives has introduced a bill granting unpaid heartbreak leave to government and private sector employees after a breakup.
According to the House Bill No. 9931, or the Heartbreak Recovery and Resilience Act, proposed by Cagayan de Oro First District Rep. Lordan Suan, the measure aims to address the overlooked factor that one of the hindrances to the performance engagement of employees is when he or she undergoes a breakup.
“Studies reveal the substantial toll breakups take on individuals, affecting their emotional and mental well-being, leading to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and higher healthcare costs. Recognizing this reality, the bill acknowledges the legitimacy of emotional distress stemming from personal life and offers crucial support during this challenging time,” Suan said in his explanatory note.
Under the said bill, employees under the age of 25 will be permitted to take a maximum of one day of unpaid heartbreak leave per year.
On the other hand, employees aged 26 to 35 years old are entitled to two days of unpaid heartbreak leave annually, while those aged 36 and up are entitled to three days of unpaid heartbreak leave annually.
“Younger employees, facing societal pressure to quickly ‘bounce back’, may benefit from shorter leave periods, while older individuals navigating complex family dynamics or financial dependencies might require longer periods,” Suan said.
