Dear Attorney,

I am currently employed by a company where we are required to follow strict attendance and leave policies. Recently, an incident occurred where one of my colleagues left the workplace without obtaining proper permission from our supervisor. This raised some concerns among other employees, as we are unsure about the legal consequences of such actions. Could you please clarify the legal implications for an employee who leaves the workplace without permission in the Philippines? We are particularly interested in understanding how this might affect employment status, potential disciplinary actions, and any legal rights both the employee and employer may have under the law.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Employee

Insights

In the Philippines, leaving the workplace without permission can have serious consequences under labor law and company policies. Generally, employers have the right to set reasonable rules and regulations regarding attendance and leaves of absence. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal.

The Labor Code of the Philippines does not explicitly regulate "leaving without permission" as a specific violation. However, such actions could fall under the category of insubordination or neglect of duty. These are just causes for termination under Article 297 of the Labor Code (formerly Article 282). Insubordination involves the willful disregard of the employer's lawful orders, while neglect of duty refers to an employee's failure to fulfill their responsibilities.

If an employee leaves without permission, the employer may initiate disciplinary proceedings, following the company’s established policies and procedures. The employer is required to observe procedural due process before imposing any sanctions. Procedural due process involves two stages: notice and hearing. First, the employer must issue a written notice specifying the offense and allowing the employee to explain their side. Afterward, a hearing or conference should be conducted to give the employee a fair chance to defend themselves. Finally, the employer must issue a written decision based on substantial evidence.

In cases where the employee’s action does not warrant termination, sanctions such as suspension, warning, or reprimand may be imposed. Employers should also consider the proportionality of the penalty in relation to the offense. A single instance of leaving without permission may not always justify severe penalties like dismissal unless it constitutes a habitual offense or is accompanied by other serious misconduct.

Employees, on the other hand, have the right to challenge any disciplinary action imposed. They may file a complaint for illegal dismissal or unfair labor practice with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), depending on the circumstances of the case. In such cases, the employer must prove that the dismissal was for a valid cause and that proper due process was observed.

It is also important to note that certain emergencies or situations may justify an employee’s decision to leave the workplace without prior notice. In such cases, the employee may explain their circumstances to the employer, who should consider the situation’s reasonableness and urgency before determining the appropriate course of action.

Finally, companies are encouraged to have clear and well-communicated attendance and leave policies to avoid confusion and disputes. Both employers and employees benefit from transparent guidelines that outline acceptable reasons for leaving the workplace and the procedures for obtaining permission.