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Working Hours

Normal business hours are 8:00-17:00 but many businesses may have longer or different opening hours.

The normal work hours of any employee shall not exceed 8 hours a day for five days a week. Employees are given not less than 60 minutes time-off for their regular meals. Rest days are usually on weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

Wages

The current minimum wage (in PHP) is:

• 481 for workers in the non-agricultural sector
• 444 for workers in the agricultural sector
• 75% of the minimum wage rate for apprentices and learners

Salary

Average salaries (in PHP, per year) based on job:

• Customer Service Representative (CSR): 230,000
• Civil Engineer: 237,000
• Software Engineer: 380,000
• Accountant: 273,000
• Registered Nurse: 176,000

Contract

Most jobs are under contract. An employment contract must be in writing and the employee should read and understand all conditions before signing. If the contract is in a language other than your mother tongue, you should allow a trusted advisor (like a lawyer or close friend) who is fluent in that language to inspect it. Terms of a contract may not be changed by the employer without the employee's agreement.

The written statement of contract should include the following:

• Names of employer and employee
• Work start date
• Work locations
• Employee's position or job title
• Monthly salary and when it is to be paid out (weekly, monthly or otherwise)
• Working hours
• Overtime pay for work over regular working hours and on rest days and holidays
• Vacation leave and sick leave entitlements
• Other benefits or entitlements
• Notice period
• Terms of termination

There are several kinds of employment contracts:

• Permanent contract - for a permanent position within a company
• Fixed term contract - contract with a date specifying when the job will end
• Probationary contract - given to people who have just started and should be changed to another contract when the probationary period is over

Termination

Under Philippine law, an employer may terminate an employee on the following just causes:

• Serious misconduct
• Willful disobedience
• Gross and habitual neglect of duty
• Fraud or breach of trust
• Commission of a crime or offense against the employer, his family or representative
• Other similar causes

In a termination for just cause, a notice of intent to dismiss the employee will be given. The employee will be given the opportunity to air his/her side through a hearing or conference. A notice of dismissal will be given if grounds have been established to justify termination.

An employer may terminate an employee on the following authorized causes:

• Installation of labor-saving devices
• Redundancy
• Retrenchment to prevent losses
• Closure and cessation of business
• Disease/illness

In a termination for an authorized cause, the employer must give the employee a written notice at least 30 days before the date of termination.

Terms of termination should be detailed in the contract. Issues with termination should be discussed with a trade union, a lawyer or the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Time Off

Philippine law does not require employers to grant their employees vacation or sick leave benefits. However, most employers do offer a certain number of vacation and sick days as voluntary benefits to an employee.

An employee shall be paid his/her regular daily wage during regular holidays.

When an employee is required to work on his/her scheduled rest day or on any special holiday, an additional compensation of at least 30% of his/her regular wage will be paid to the employee.

Holidays

Holidays are days when most public/government offices and private businesses are closed. There are public or local holidays which can be determined by the local authorities based on local traditions. The following are regular Philippine holidays:

• New Year's Day - January 1
• Maundy Thursday - March or April
• Good Friday - March or April
• Day of Valor - April 9
• Labor Day - May 1
• Independence Day - June 12
• National Heroes Day - Last Sunday of August
• Bonifacio Day - November 30
• December 25 - Christmas Day
• December 30 - Rizal Day
• December 31 - Last Day of the Year