In the Philippines, family and community are everything, and HR best practices recognize that. When it comes to employee leaves, transparency and empathy are key. Companies should have clear and accessible leave policies that respect the diverse needs of our workforce.
Let’s understand the leave benefits rights and obligations of employees and employers under the Labor Code and other relevant regulations.
First is Service Incentive Leave (SIL). Employees who have rendered at least one year of service are entitled to a minimum of five days of annual leave. This leave can be used for sick purposes, vacation, or emergencies except for those in the public sector, domestic helpers, persons in the personal service of another, and workers of registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with Certificates of Authority
DOLE does not mandate specific numbers of sick and vacation leaves, leaving this to the discretion of employers. Many organizations, especially larger ones, offer sick and vacation leave benefits that exceed the minimum SIL requirement, recognizing the importance of work-life balance and employee health. These benefits are typically outlined in employment contracts or company policies. Some companies implement 7 days VL and SL, some extend them to 15.
The Philippines has specific laws for maternity and paternity leave. The Expanded Maternity Leave Law (Republic Act No. 11210) provides 105 days of paid maternity leave for female workers, with an additional 15 days for single mothers, and a provision for 7 days transferable to fathers. This represents a significant advancement in support of women’s rights in the workplace.
Paternity leave is also provided under the Paternity Leave Act of 1996 (Republic Act No. 8187), granting fathers up to 7 days of paid leave for the birth of their child or the wife’s miscarriage, applicable to the first four deliveries of the legitimate spouse.
The Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710) mandates special leave benefits for women undergoing surgery related to gynecological disorders, providing up to two months of leave with full pay based on gross monthly compensation.
Solo parents are entitled to additional leave benefits under the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8972), granting them 7 days of extra leave, provided they have rendered at least one year of service.
The Philippines also provides for bereavement leave, emergency leave, and leaves for victims of violence against women and their children under specific circumstances. Moreover, special laws like those for the benefit of the military reserve force or for voting purposes outline specific leave entitlements under certain conditions.
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