Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Smoking Ban Enforcement: When Rules Fail to Designate Smoking Areas
A Supreme Court ruling on smoking in stairwells shows why workplace smoking bans must designate where employees can legally smoke.
Union Leave vs Management Prerogative: Balancing Rights in the Workplace
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on union leave, management prerogative, and the consequences of defying a disapproved leave application.
Drug Testing in the Workplace: Ensuring Procedural Rigor and Employee Rights
The Supreme Court ruled that employers must ensure drug tests are properly administered, or face liability for illegal dismissal.
Upholding Ethical Standards: Dismissal for Lascivious Acts and Workplace Misconduct
Court employee dismissed for kissing a co-worker and reporting drunk. The Supreme Court affirms strict ethical standards for judiciary personnel.
Workplace Conduct: Simple Misconduct and Disciplinary Actions for Employees
Learn how the Supreme Court defines simple misconduct in the workplace and what disciplinary actions employees may face for fighting or similar offenses.
Constructive Dismissal Defining Workplace Harassment AND Employer Rights
Learn when workplace harassment becomes constructive dismissal and how employers can defend termination decisions under Philippine law.
Proportionality in Employee Discipline: When Is Dismissal Too Harsh?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when dismissal is too harsh a penalty for workplace policy violations, explained in plain language.
Insubordination or Illegal Dismissal: Clarifying Lawful Orders in the Workplace
When does refusing a transfer become insubordination? The Supreme Court clarifies the line between lawful management orders and illegal dismissal.
Dishonesty in the Workplace: Gauging Sufficient Evidence for Employee Termination
The Supreme Court clarifies the evidentiary standard for dismissing employees for dishonesty, distinguishing valid termination from illegal dismissal.
Breach of Trust: When Workplace Conduct Undermines Employer Confidence
Supreme Court ruling on when managerial employees may be validly dismissed for breach of trust and loss of confidence.
Gambling in the Workplace: Defining Ethical Conduct for Public Servants
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when gambling during office hours becomes a dismissible offense for public employees and sets ethical standards.
Workplace Remarks and Dismissal: When Is It Serious Misconduct in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employee remarks during union meetings constitute serious misconduct warranting dismissal.
Workplace Decorum in the Judiciary: The Case of Sheriff Payumo
A sheriff's rude remark to litigants violated ethical standards, reminding all court employees that propriety and decorum are non-negotiable.
Workplace Libel in the Philippines: When Accusations Against Superiors Lead to Dismissal
Philippine law on workplace libel: when accusations against superiors become criminal and grounds for dismissal. Learn the rules.
Judicial Restraint vs Workplace Conduct: Defining Boundaries of Authority and Decorum in the Philippine Judici
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge's abuse of authority and a clerk's misconduct clarifies decorum standards for all judiciary personnel.
Upholding Decorum: Judicial Employees' Duty to Maintain Respect and Civility in the Workplace
Court employees must maintain civility and respect at all times. Gross discourtesy warrants suspension under Civil Service rules.
Workplace Misconduct and Fund Accountability: Lessons from a Clerk of Court Case
A clerk of court's failure to timely remit judiciary funds constitutes gross misconduct, even after full restitution.
Beyond Resignation: Constructive Dismissal and Harassment Claims in Philippine Labor Law
When does a resignation become constructive dismissal? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on forced resignation and workplace harassment claims.
When Does A Workplace Aggravate A Pre-Existing Condition Understanding Employees Compensation
The Supreme Court clarifies when workplace conditions aggravate pre-existing illnesses and how this affects employees' compensation claims in the Philippines.
Office Misconduct and Civil Service Suspension: Understanding Employee Accountability in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court disciplines lawyers for misconduct, negligence, and client abandonment, and what this means for workplace accountability.
Religious Freedom and Workplace Rules: The Ramadan Office Hours Ruling for Muslim Employees
The Supreme Court explains when religious accommodation in government workplaces is required by law and when it needs legislation.
Workplace Stress and Heart Attacks: Protecting Employees Under Philippine Labor Law
Can a driver-messenger claim compensation for a heart attack? The Supreme Court says yes when work stress and strain contribute. Learn the rules.
Habitual Tardiness in the Workplace: When Excuses Don't Excuse Accountability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on habitual tardiness, pregnancy as an excuse, and penalties under Civil Service rules.
When Workplace Conduct Disrupts Justice: Defining the Boundaries of Discourtesy in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when loud office chatter becomes administrative discourtesy, and why judges cannot suspend court staff without proper authority.