EFFECTS AND IMPACT OF THE EXPANDED MATERNITY

LEAVE BENEFIT AS PERCEIVED BY THE EMPLOYEES

A Dissertation
Presented to Dr. Edwin Malabuyoc
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Unisan, Quezon

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject

by

Jo-Anne Kristeen A. Silvala -Tabernilla

May 2019
 CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

This chapter comprises the introduction of the study, statement of the

problem, theoretical and conceptual framework, scope and limitations of the

study as well as its significance.

Introduction

Throughout history, women were always been a part of the workforce

however they are not given the chance to perform a man’s job. In ancient

times, women are admired and revered but not given any position of power.

They may have influenced some political meetings but beyond that nothing

more. And it is not until the so called “Age of Enlightenment”, that the first

stone of the idea that women are as competent as man was laid into the

minds of the masses. And some of these people began to believe that

women are only lacks in education and not intelligence.

And as the women in the workforce started to grow in population, the

company and the nation must response to the needs of these employees,

particularly when a working woman gets pregnant. Article XIII, Sec. 14 of

the 1987 constitution s tates that “The State shall protect working women by

providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into account their

maternal functions, and such facilities an opportunities that will enhance

their welfare and enable them to realize their full p otential in the service of

the nation”. Maternity leave is then granted, particularly to women working

more years in the service, shall, in addition to the vacation and sick leave

granted to her, be entitled to maternity leave of sixty calendar days with

pay, as provided by Section 11 of the Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V

of Executive Order 292 as prescribed in the Revised Administrative Code

of 1987.

Last February 22, 2019, the cur rent head of state, Pres. Rodrigo R.

Duterte signed RA Act No. 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave.

W herein the sixty days leave of pregnant woman is changed to 105 days.

Statement of the Problem

This study gives emphasis on the effect and impact the newly signed

“105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law” or Republic Act No. 11210 to the

employees of the regional IV -A Office of the Philippine Health Insurance

Corporation. It aims to particularly answer the following questions:

1. W hat is the impact of Republic Act No. 11210 to the employees of

PhilHealth Regional Office IV -A in terms of:

a. Personal Life

b. Family Life

c. W ork Life

2. W hat are the perceived effects of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law

in terms of:

a. W ork load sharing

3. W hat are steps th e topic organization will take to adjust to the effects

of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law in terms of:

a. W ork load sharing

b. W ork Production/Output

Theoretical Framew ork

Any changes require adjustment. This is true to all, whether it is

applied in one’s personal life or in an organization. Changes in the

organization, whether it is a company induced changes or a government

mandated changes, adjustment will be required.

The theory of change is a specific type of methodology intended for

planning, participation, and evaluation used to promote social change.

According to Stein and Valters (2012), this theory was developed in the

United States of America during the 1990s, with the perspective of

improving evaluation of theory and practice in the field of community

initiatives.

This theory not only evaluates whether a program is effective but also

explain what methods it uses to be effective.

Conceptual Framew ork

The major concern of this study is the impact and effect of the

Expanded Maternity leave Law on the production of the topic company. The
concept of this study will begin with the respondents answer to questions

that will determine the factor that will have the biggest impact on the

company followed by determining what will be the effects the determined

impact will have on their personal life, work life, work load sharing and

output. Based on the results it will then provide insight as to what the

company must address when an employee will avail said benefits. And the

desired output of this said study is a plan of action that can be implemented

with the intention to maximize remaining employees without sacrificing work

output during prolonged leave of absence .

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The main topic of this study is the effects and impact of the Expanded

Maternity Leave Law on work production. And this limited to the perception

by the employees of PhilHealth Regional Office IV -A.

Significance of th e Study

The result of this study will be beneficial to the following:

1. Respondents.

 The concerns of the respondents will be heard and will be

addressed. They will be given assurance on what to do in times

there’s an employee who will be gone for a long period of time.

2. The Organization
  The organization will have a basis in evaluating their strategies

when an employee is on prolonged leave of absence and it will

help them determine which programs or strategies are least

effective.

3. Future Researchers

 The findings of this study will serve as reference material and

guide they wish to pursue deeper studies on imp acts and effects

of long term absence.

This chapter will discuss literatures that holds significance in the

totality of the study. It will also showcase other studies that will support the

framework of the study.

Related Literature

In an article written by E. Rosales (2019) for Business Mirror, he

stated that the Expanded Materni ty Leave Law will affect the way

Management’s decision when it comes to hiring to women, for it will take

majorly affect the productivity of a business. The article also stated that

most firms believes that hiring women will dispel the fear of the law will

compromise the productivity of their operations.

However, in an article posted in rappler (2016), some employers

views the new law as something that is bad for business, employment. The

article described how some employers were less enthusiastic about th e new

law, particularly small businesses for they perceived that hiring women

especially those who are childbearing age, are going to be added expense.