The House ‘Committee on Labor has approved for plenary approval a bill prohibiting employers from publishing in the media the termination of employment of former employees.
The House panel chaired by 1PACMAN Partylist Rep. Eric Pineda recommended the passage of House Bill 852 that will regulate the posting of notices of termination of employment of workers.
Authored by DIWA Partylist Rep. Michael Edgar Aglipay, HB 852 proposes to impose on the erring employer payment of P10,000 to P50,000 to indemnify the aggrieved employee.
In the explanatory note of the bill, Aglipay recalled that a similar bill was approved on third and final reading during the 17th Congress.
“The proposed measure adheres in the policy of the state to protect all workers from abusive acts of employers,” explained Aglipay.
However, Aglipay said employers may be allowed to post notices of termination of employment of a former employee under a number of circumstances.
HB 852 allows publication of said notices if the employee has committed acts of serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and falsification of documents.
Also exempted from the prohibition of publication are employers who want to announce that the subject employee is no longer connected with the firm after being convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
The bill also allows publication in print, electronic or social media of former employees who are accountable officer or staff such as cashiers, treasurers, collection officers, sales agents and other officers who handle cash, property, stocks and other assets of the employer.
“If the employer has reasonable grounds to believe that the former employe shall cause loss or damage or otherwise compromise the interests of the employer, he may be allowed to make announcements,” said Aglipay.