Category Archives: HR & Labor

Guidelines on the Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines in the Workplaces (Labor Advisory No. 3)

[On 12 March 2021, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued Labor Advisory No. 03, series of 2021, requiring private companies to shoulder the costs of COVID-19 vaccination of its employees. Companies, however, cannot compel its employees to get vaccinated. Should companies be be allowed to enforce a “no vaccine, no work” policy? The full text of Labor Advisor No. 3 is reproduced below.]

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Amended List of 2021 Holidays (Full Text of Proclamation No. 1107)

[On 26 February 2021, Malacanang issued Proclamation No 1107, amending Proclamation No. 986, series of 2020. The following special non-working days have been converted into special working days: 2 November 2021 (Tuesday, All Soul’s Day), 24 December 2021 (Friday, Christmas Eve), and 31 December 2021 (Friday, Last Day of the Year). These three days are working days, which means there is no extra pay as holiday work premium. The complete text of Proclamation No. 1197 is reproduced below.]

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National Vaccination and Vaccine Cards: Primer on the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 (Republic Act No. 11525)

The policy directives and general guidelines for the COVID-19 Vaccination Program are contained in Republic Act No. 11525, also known as the “COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021.” R.A. 11525 was signed by the President on 26 February 2021. All vaccines procured by any entity must be registered with the Philippine Food and Drug administration (FDA), as evidenced by a valid Certificate of Product Registration or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). COVID-19 vaccines imported shall be exempt from import duties, taxes and other fees. Here are the salient points of RA 11525.

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Unemployment Insurance or Involuntary Separation Benefits: Requirements and Application

The unemployment insurance or involuntary separation benefit is a cash benefit granted to covered employees, including Kasambahays and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), who are involuntarily separated from employment. To assist members who are involuntarily separated from employment, the Social Security System (SSS) issued the implementing guidelines for the Unemployment Insurance or Involuntary Separation Benefit. Here are the salient points of the SSS guidelines:

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Refund / Return of the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) Received by Workers

In an Advisory issued on 2 June 2020, the Social Security System (SSS) announced the requirement to refund or return the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) received by employees under certain instances, discussed below. The directive is based on the SBWS Program Task Force Resolution No. 2. The instances when the refund/return is required, and the procedure for the refund, are discussed below.

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Twin-Notice Rule and Procedural Requirements in Employment Termination Proceedings

Due process, in relation to employment termination proceedings, is composed of two aspects. One, there must be a just or authorized cause for the dismissal or any administrative disciplinary acton (substantive due process). Two, the requirements of procedural due process must be complied with. The separate procedural due process requirements for just causes and authorized causes for employment termination are discussed below.

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