Industrial Relations

Under Article 157 of the Labor Code, employers with more than 200 workers should provide or make available medical and allied services consisting of a full time registered nurse, part time physician and dentist and an emergency clinic. Does this mean that the employer should hire or employ a nurse, doctor and dentist? This is…

Dear PAO, I have a four-year-old illegitimate son. I cannot marry his father because he is married to someone else. I met him in 2002, got pregnant in February 2004 and gave birth in October 2004. He acknowledged my son in his birth certificate.

For being discriminatory and oppressive, the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional a provision in the Migrant Overseas Filipinos Act, or Republic Act 8042, that sets a limit on monetary claims of illegally dismissed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Dear PAO, Please help me with my concerns: a. Our school has amended our Employees’ Manual under its Revised Retirement Plan. Retirement age is set at 60. However, the company may extend the services of an employee beyond retirement age in meritorious cases. 

Dear PAO, I am a Human Resources practitioner, and I want to know: 1) Does the Labor Code contain any provision relating to the kind of employee who should be monthly paid or daily paid?

Around 1,500 government workers and managers will gather for the National Workers’ Congress on March 23, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

It’s clear that the current recession is not going to be a fleeting phenomenon. Managers need to learn how to lead under extraordinary marketplace pressures and decreased morale, amid pay cuts, spending cuts on strategic projects, and staff reductions. As a leader, you can get through this mess in a positive manner if you take…

SEN. Edgardo Angara over the weekend stressed the need to immediately amend certain provisions of the Labor Code to increase national productivity and employment.

We all know we’re right smack in the middle of a global crisis because everyone has been making references to it nonstop—it’s practically coming out of people’s ears. Of course we’ve also become aware of the crisis because contrary to what some so-called experts so brazenly claim, we’re not deaf and blind. And we’re definitely…

‘No dislocation of gov’t workers’ MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said “no one shall be dislocated” in the government workforce when a rationalization program is implemented.

The president and two other officials of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines have questioned the authority of the Commission on Higher Education to enforce a suspension order the Sandiganbayan issued against them in connection with 12 counts of graft.

As usual, the government’s plan to set up a stimulus package for pump priming our economy and cushioning the impact of the global financial meltdown has become controversial. Critics once more express fears that it may just be another political gimmick in preparation for the coming 2010 elections. And since the funds for the package…

The Supreme Court has ruled that the board of directors and consultants of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority are not entitled to year-end benefits.

MANILA, Philippines – The American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (AmCham) urged the government to consider revising its local holiday schemes especially for business process outsourcing (BPO) firms or call centers to help companies save money amidst the global economic crisis.

The generally accepted norm in the workplace when it comes to matters of the heart is that romantic relationships are not the company’s business.

Dear PAO, Good day. I am a Canadian and I read with great interest your answer that was published on January 12, 2009 in The Manila Times about dual citizenship and buying property in the Philippines.

A SENIOR official from the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) on Thursday asked Malacañang to reduce the number of holidays in the country, saying the call center industry at this critical time is hurting and cannot afford the burden of increased holiday pays.

Pursuant to the doctrine of res judicata, a final judgment or decree on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction is conclusive on the rights of the parties or their privies in all later suits between them on points and matters determined in said judgment. This is the doctrine involved in this case between…

Fifty-three Cebuano employees breathed a collective sigh of relief as Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan recently revoked the visa of their employer, a New Zealander, for his anti-labor practices and illegal activities.

Foreign companies in the country are seeking a flexible holiday arrangement to help them cope with the economic slump as well as preserve jobs.

Dear PAO,  In October 2008, the fruit-processing company I used to work for in an industrial/commercial complex within Metro Manila decided to cease operations due to losses incurred during the past several years and financial constraints. The company said it would give what is due to its employees as required under the law. The firm…

MANILA, Philippines—Eighteen Chinese nationals purportedly coming to the country to visit were actually workers bound for a construction project at the Cagayan Economic Zone Area (Ceza).

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today issued an advisory on the adoption of flexible work arrangements to guide employers and workers in the private sector in implementing mutually acceptable work schedules as a measure against the adverse impact of the global financial crisis.

MANILA, Philippines — Workers who stand to lose their jobs due to the global economic meltdown can now call the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for help at (632)527-4437.

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Intramuros, Manila DEPARTMENT ADVISORY No. 2 Series of 2009 Guidelines on the Adoption of Flexible Work Arrangements

Management prerogative means the right of the employer to regulate all aspects of employment, to discipline its employees and to impose appropriate penalties on erring workers pursuant to company rules and regulations, such as suspension from work or dismissal from service. This case is about suspension and dismissal.

Not every violation of company rules and regulations may be a valid cause for dismissal. This is illustrated in this case of Mia.

Dear PAO,  My friend was recently terminated from her job without prior notice. He was with the company for almost three years until he was verbally dismissed from his position effective three days after he was told to leave. Can he file any legal case against the company for not giving him longer notice regarding…

A local industry group expressed fears yesterday that the global crisis will lead to more cases of technical smuggling in the country, especially with Chinese manufacturers having difficulties in selling to major markets.

Article 282 (c) of the Labor Code allows an employer to terminate the services of an employee for loss of trust and confidence. It must be shown however that the employee concerned must be holding a position of trust and confidence and there must be an act that would justify such loss. This case of…