Tag - Just Cause

Constructive Dismissal

Constructive dismissal occurs when there is cessation of work because continued employment is rendered impossible, unreasonable, or unlikely as when there is a demotion in rank or diminution in pay or when a clear discrimination, insensibility, or disdain by an employer becomes unbearable to the employee leaving the latter with no other option but to quit. (Tan Brothers Corporation of Basilan City vs. Escudero G.R. No. 188711, July 3, 2013 citing The University of Immaculate Conception vs. NLRC, G.R. [...]

Employee Termination Based on Form of Employment

Termination of employee depends on the form of employment. Just cause or authorized cause as ground for dismissal is the only blanket ground applicable to all forms. Hence, to terminate employee, it can be argued that there are two main classifications of grounds: Just Cause / Authorized Cause Peculiar cause provided in the nature of employment and terms of contract For just cause or authorized cause, the law is clear since these are provided under Articles 297, 298, and 299, respectively. For the [...]

Counsel may Assist the Employee in a Hearing or Conference if the Latter Desires as part of Due Process

If a hearing or conference would be held in an employee dismissal, the employee may request to bring a counsel in such proceeding. This seems to be an optional requirement at the in- stance of the employee. In the dismissal of an employee, a hearing or conference must be held during which the employee concerned, with the assistance of counsel if the employee so desires, is given opportunity to respond to the charge, present his evidence or rebut the evidence [...]

Formal Hearing which is Adversarial in Nature is not Applicable in Employee Dismissal Cases

While hearing or conference is required to be held when specifically requested in writing by the employee or when so provided in the company policy, it is not intended to be in a formal type of proceeding. In the case of Nuez vs. NLRC the Supreme Court held that what the law requires is for the employer to inform the employee of the specific charges against him and to hear his side or defenses. This does not however mean a [...]

Willful Disobedience as Ground for Employee Dismissal

Willful disobedience is ground for dismissal under Article 297 of the Labor Code, as amended. The Supreme Court found just cause to dismiss the employee for her willful disobedience of the superior’s directives requiring her to explain her absence, violation of school policy and refusal to subject herself to medical examination. Other cases where disobedience was held willful: Violation of the rule against the use of company-owned vehicles for private purposes without prior authority; Smoking in restricted areas; Refusal to render overtime; Refusal to be [...]

Grounds For Dismissal: Just Cause And Authorized Cause

Grounds for dismissal are required ingredients to ensure that termination is valid. There are three classifications of valid grounds for dismissal or termination under the Labor Code which can be used by the employer: First is the just cause under Article 297 of the Labor Code, as amended. Second, the authorized cause under Article 298 therein. Third is the dismissal due to disease found in Article 299. The employee is also authorized to cut employment ties under Article 300. The burden of proof in [...]

Instances Involving Serious Misconduct as Held by the Supreme Court

A series of irregularities may constitute serious misconduct. Thus, in Gustilo vs. Wyeth Phils.  where the employee committed the following acts: Falsified his employment application form by not stating therein that he is the nephew of the company’s manager; Falsified gasoline receipt; Submitted false report of his trade outlet calls; and Unauthorized availment of sick, vacation and emergency leaves The Court held that with those listed offenses, the dismissal from service is in order. Citing Piedad vs. Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. [G.R. [...]

Loss of Trust and Confidence: The Nature of Work and not Job Title is Material in Determining the Trust Reposed

Loss of trust and confidence is a ground for dismissal from employment. The Nature of work is an important determining factor in illegal dismissal cases involving loss of trust and confidence or willful breach of trust. In the case of JR Hauling Services vs. Solamo (G.R. No. 214294, September 30, 2020), the employees were charged of selling the broilers and broiler crates without the authority of the owner. In response to the administrative charge, the employees contend that they were drivers/helpers [...]

Is it Really Easy to Terminate Managerial Employees?

It has been a common impression that managerial employees are easy to terminate. The cause of this view is the concept of loss of trust and confidence or willful breach of trust under Article 297 of the Labor Code, as amended. While an employer has its own interest to protect, and pursuant thereto, it may terminate a managerial employee for a just cause, such prerogative to dismiss or lay off an employee must be exercised without abuse of discretion. Its [...]

Negligence: When is it a Valid Ground for Employee Dismissal?

Negligence is one of the common offenses violated by employees. However, do all forms of negligence warrant dismissal from service? No. For negligence to be a proper ground for termination, it must not only be gross but must be both “gross and habitual” in character to justify depriving an employee of his means of livelihood. In short, not all forms of negligence should be penalized with dismissal. A single or an isolated act of negligence which is not “gross and habitual” [...]

error: Content is protected !!