Alpás Training for Private Sector Workers

The University of the Philippines Law Center (UPLC) Workers and Employees Program (WEP) conducted virtually via Zoom the Alpás: WEP 2024 Training Series on Termination of Employment and Gender Orientation for Private Sector Workers on Saturdays, from 10 August 2024 to 14 September 2024.

The forty (40) participants included representatives from unions, federations, labor organizations, and non-government organizations as well as workers in education, health care, power, telecommunications, paralegal, legal, transportation, and online.

To date, Alpás is the fourth Training Series conducted by WEP and follows the 2022 WEP Training Series on Workers’ Rights and Benefits Under Labor Standards Laws, the 2023 WEP Training Series on Labor Relations in the Private Sector, the 2023 WEP Training Series on Termination of Employment in the Private Sector and Gender Orientation for Workers.

WEP Program Director Atty. Arnold F. de Vera expressed hope, saying that “(u)maasa akong magiging makabuluhan ang bawat sesyon, at nawa’y magsilbi itong gabay para sa inyong karapatan at kapakanan bilang mga manggagawa sa pribadong sektor.”

The following topics were covered by the described resource persons:

Day 1 (10 August 2024)

Tests of Employment: Four-Fold Test (and Control Test), Economic Dependence Test
Why keep and how to read contracts, payslips, related documents
Bilaterial Relationships
Trilateral Relationships (Contracting and Subcontracting)

Resource Person: Attorney Emir-Deogene V. Mendoza, UPLC-WEP

Day 2 (17 August 2024)

Employment Status (Regular, Project, Fixed Term, Probationary, Contractual)
Grounds For Termination for Each Employment Status (Just and Authorized Causes to be Covered in Later Sessions)
Due Process Requirements for Each Employment Status

Resource Person: Attorney Emir-Deogene V. Mendoza, UPLC-WEP

Day 3 (24 August 2024)

Actual and Constructive Dismissal
When There is No Dismissal: Abandonment, Transfer, Suspension, Floating Status
Termination By Employer for Just Causes
Due Process in Termination by Employer Due To Just Causes: Notice, Writing Reply/Answer, Right To Counsel, Right To Be Heard
In Organized Establishments: Role of Shop Steward, Union Officers
Remedies of Employee Terminated Due to Just Causes

Resource Person: Honorable Leilanie T. Brasa-Oro, Labor Arbiter, National Labor Relations Commission

Day 4 (31 August 2024)

Termination Due to Disease
Termination By Employee (Resignation)
Termination By Employer for Authorized Causes and Due Process Requirements
Remedies of Employee Terminated Due to Disease and Authorized Causes

Resource Person: Attorney Jasper Frederick C. Briones, UPLC-WEP

Day 5 (7 September 2024)

Examining Gender and Society

Resource Person: Assistant Professor Maritess Cruz, Department of Women and Development Studies, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman

Anti-Sexual Harassment and Safe Spaces in the Workplace

Resource Person: Attorney Louise Aubrey P. Mejia, Legal Associate, UP College of Law Gender Law and Policy Program (GLPP)

Day 6 (14 September 2024)

Using Gender-Fair Language for Inclusivity

Resource Person: Assistant Professor Irish Joy G. Deocampo, Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines Diliman