The end of the first month in 2023 also marks the end of the next quarter in our case law update series. Here we highlight the most significant employment law cases since November 2022 and the lessons that employers should take from them. Redundancy pool Deciding on which employees to include in a redundancy pool is usually straightforward. However, problems can arise, particularly where the pool includes just one person, as the case of Teixeira v Zaika Restaurant Ltd and another demonstrated ...
On 31 December 2023 under the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, all retained EU law will be revoked. Suzanne Burrell, partner, and Kim Muddimer, PSL at Shoosmiths examine the background to the Bill and the possible impact on UK occupational pension schemes. On 22 September 2022, the UK government announced that all retained EU laws will be sunset (meaning revoked) on 31 December 2023 under the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill (Bill) ...
Labor inspections is one of the ways the Department of Labor and Employment ("DOLE") implements its visitorial and enforcement powers under the Labor Code, to secure a higher level of compliance with labor laws and standards, and to ensure continuity and sustainability of compliance at workplaces ...
Following the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers ("DMW") pursuant to Republic Act No. 11641, or the Department of Migrant Workers Act ("RA 11641"), the Department of Labor and Employment ("DOLE") and the DMW issuedJoint Circular No. 01, series of 2022 (the "Joint Circular"),on July 7, 2022, to facilitate and ensure the efficient and effective implementation of RA 11641 ...
With the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic lifted, people are on the lookout for employment opportunities. Employers are in search of capable employees who can contribute to the recovery and growth of the company. Screening job applicants is a crucial step to ensure that the right person for the job is hired ...
Year 2022 included several significant legislative reforms in the field of employment law. As we have now entered 2023, it is a good time to take a look back to the previous year and to have a look at reforms and amendments coming up during 2023 within the field of employment law ...
On October 24, 2022, the Department of Labor and Employment ("DOLE") issued Labor Advisory No. 20, series of 2022, which sets out the process for the issuance of the certification required from non-Philippine nationals intending to engage in business in the Philippines ...
The growing reliance towards digital courier services, including food delivery, has become evident when the COVID-19 pandemic started. This sector in the service industry continued to operate while adapting to the current set-up of nationwide lockdowns and various quarantine levels. To this extent, delivery riders are considered as “non-medical frontliners” facing the same risks as healthcare providers ...
On January 31, 2020, the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issued Labor Advisory No. 6, series of 2020, which prescribes the period for: [a] the payment and/or the release of the final pay; and [b] the issuance of Certificate of Employment to employees who are terminated from their employment ...
In Toyo Seat Philippines Corporation v. Annabelle C. Velasco, et al. (G.R. No. 240774, March 03, 2021), the Supreme Court reiterated that workers may be considered project employees regardless of the nature of the work they perform, as long as the essential elements of project employment are alleged and proven ...
Reasonable connection, not direct causation.This is the essence of the Supreme Court’s decision in Social Security System v. Violeta A. Simacas (G.R. No. 217866, 20 June 2022), wherein it awarded employees’ compensation benefits under Presidential Decree No. 626 (“PD 626”) to Mrs. Violeta A. Simacas, the wife of deceased employee Mr. Irnido Simacas, who died of prostate cancer. Mr. Simacas was employed for 15 years as a fabrication helper at a manufacturing company ...
Probationary employment is an arrangement where an employee is placed on trial by the employer for a period of time, not to exceed six months, to allow the employer to determine whether the employee is fit for regularization. Probationary employment is beneficial for employers as it allows them to address problems in the employment relationship before regularization ...
With workers returning to work on-site, the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issuedLabor Advisory No. 1, series of 2022, or the Isolation and Quarantine Leaves of Employees in the Private Sector, to guide employers ...
On the heels of the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Labor Relations Commission (“NLRC”) issuedNLRC En Banc Resolution No. 03-20, series of 2020, or theInterim Amendments to the 2011 NLRC Rules of Procedure(“Interim Amendments”).Under the Interim Amendments, the conduct of mandatory conciliation and mediation conferences were suspended, making it discretionary upon the Labor Arbiters ...
On September 16, 2022, the DOLE issuedDepartment Order No. 237, series of 2022, or the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11165or the Telecommuting Act (“Revised Telecommuting Rules”). New Definitions The Revised Telecommuting Rules clarified the definition of an “alternative workplace” and a “regular workplace” ...
On February 11, 2022, the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issuedDepartment Order No. 221-A-22, or theGuidelines in the Accreditation of Agents and Appointment of Employers Authorized Representatives for filing of Alien Employment Permit (AEP) Applications and Related Documents(the “AEP Accreditation Guidelines”), pursuant to Section 28 of DOLE Department Order No ...
On August 23, 2022, the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issuedLabor Advisory No. 17, series of 2022, which governs the suspension of work in the private sector by reason of weather disturbances and similar occurrences. It provides that in the exercise of management prerogative, the employer may suspend work to ensure the safety and health of employees during weather disturbances and similar occurrences ...
With the decreasing number of positive COVID-19 cases, more employees are now returning to on-site work and new COVID-19 testing protocols are in place. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (“IATF”) provided guidelines for COVID-19 testing requirements for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated employees through its Resolutions No. 148-B and 149. Also, the National COVID-19 Immunization Program opened to the general public nationwide ...
On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a Proposed Rule that would prohibit employers from enforcing non-compete agreements against former employees, contractors, and other workers. Dinsmore & Shohl’s Labor and Employment Group’s legal alert on January 5, provides general information about the changes envisaged in the Proposed Rule ...
In Case C-633/20 of the European Court of Justice (the ‘Court’) delivered on the 29th September 2022, the First Chamber of the Court produced a judgment (the ‘Judgment’) in response to a reference for a preliminary ruling concerning the definition of ‘insurance intermediary’ in the context of Directive 2016/97 (the ‘Insurance Distribution Directive’ or the ‘IDD’) and Directive 2002/92 (the ‘Insurance Mediatio
Pursuant to Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) Labor Advisory No. 18, series of 2020, employers, including contractors or subcontractors in the private sector, shall shoulder the cost of COVID-19 prevention and control measures, such as, but not limited to, testing, disinfection facilities, hand sanitizers, personal protective equipment (i.e.,face masks), signages, and proper orientation and training of workers on COVID-19 prevention and control ...
On April 27, 2022,Republic Act No. 11712, or thePublic Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act(“RA 11712”), was signed into law in recognition of the critical role of health care workers in providing quality health care and ensuring disease prevention in the general population, especially during the pandemic. It seeks to promote the welfare of health care workers through the grant of mandatory benefits and allowances with utmost efficiency ...
With effect from 1 February 2023, the index applicable to employee wages increases from 877.01 to 898.93, resulting in a 2.5% increase in gross salary paid to individuals with employment contracts subject to Luxembourg law. Wage indexation is an automatic mechanism to adjust salaries in line with evolving living costs, as determined by STATEC[1]. Salaries are automatically raised when the cost of living increases by at least 2.5% ...
