Emergency or urgent issue? If there is violence, coercion, trafficking, or immediate danger, contact local authorities or a lawyer immediately.
Basic employee rights
Philippine workers generally have rights to lawful wages, safe working conditions, rest periods, statutory benefits, and due process before dismissal. Specific rights depend on your employment status, contract, industry, location, and facts.
Common issues to check
- Termination: Ask whether there was a just or authorized cause and whether due process was followed.
- Wages: Compare your pay with the applicable regional minimum wage and your actual hours worked.
- Overtime: Work beyond eight hours may require overtime pay, subject to legal rules and exemptions.
- 13th month pay: Rank-and-file employees are generally entitled to 13th month pay under Presidential Decree No. 851.
- Final pay: Keep records of unpaid salary, pro-rated benefits, leave conversions if applicable, and deductions.
Documents to prepare
- Employment contract, appointment letter, or offer letter
- Payslips, bank records, attendance logs, schedules, or time records
- Termination notice, memo, screenshots, emails, or messages
- Company handbook or policy if available
- Names of witnesses and timeline of events
Where to ask for help
For labor standards issues, workers commonly start with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). For illegal dismissal and money claims, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) may be relevant. A lawyer or PAO can help assess the proper forum.
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