How to Compute Separation Pay (Philippines

Labor Code)
Feb 15, 2011 by Victorino Abrugar at Labor Laws, Law & Government, Philippine Laws

How to compute separation pay in the Philippines according to the Labor Code? Separation,
especially when employer-employee relationships are already well-established within the
workplace, is one happening that can be heartbreaking. But as the old saying says, the only
permanent thing in this world is change. People change; people reach the point that they need to
take new steps and directions. For this kind of situation, what we can only do is to hope for the
best and do the things that are necessary. Thus, employers should take responsibilities and
obligations, and give what is lawfully due to their terminated employees. On the other hand,
employees, who are terminated or have decided to resign, should know their rights and
understand how to exercise them. The following are guidelines on the computation of separation
pay.

Who are entitled to separation pay?

Separation pay is given to employees whose services are terminated by their employers for the
following reasons as stated by Articles 283 and 284 of the Labor Code as follows:
Art. 283. Closure of establishment and reduction of personnel. The employer may also terminate
the employment of any employee due to the installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy,
retrenchment to prevent losses or the closing or cessation of operation of the establishment or
undertaking unless the closing is for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this Title, by
serving a written notice on the workers and the Ministry of Labor and Employment at least one
(1) month before the intended date thereof. In case of termination due to the installation of laborsaving devices or redundancy, the worker affected thereby shall be entitled to a separation pay
equivalent to at least his one (1) month pay or to at least one (1) month pay for every year of
service, whichever is higher. In case of retrenchment to prevent losses and in cases of closures or

cessation of operations of establishment or undertaking not due to serious business losses or

financial reverses, the separation pay shall be equivalent to one (1) month pay or at least
one-half (1/2) month pay for every year of service, whichever is higher. A fraction of at least
six (6) months shall be considered one (1) whole year.
Art. 284. Disease as ground for termination. An employer may terminate the services of an
employee who has been found to be suffering from any disease and whose continued
employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to his health as well as to the health of his coemployees: Provided, That he is paid separation pay equivalent to at least one (1) month
salary or to one-half (1/2) month salary for every year of service, whichever is greater, a
fraction of at least six (6) months being considered as one (1) whole year.

Who are not entitled to separation pay?

An employee may also be terminated for just causes as enumerated below under Article 282 of
the Labor Code. Generally, employees falling under this article are not entitled to separation pay.
Art. 282. Termination by employer. An employer may terminate an employment for any of the
following causes:
a. Serious misconduct or willful disobedience by the employee of the lawful orders of his
employer or representative in connection with his work;
b. Gross and habitual neglect by the employee of his duties;
c. Fraud or willful breach by the employee of the trust reposed in him by his employer or duly
authorized representative;
d. Commission of a crime or offense by the employee against the person of his employer or any
immediate member of his family or his duly authorized representatives; and
e. Other causes analogous to the foregoing.

Are employees who voluntarily resign entitled

to separation pay?
Generally, an employee who resigns is not entitled to separation pay except when it is stipulated
in his employment contract or collective bargaining agreement, or such is an established practice
or policy of the company. An employee resignation is presumed to be voluntary.

Is separation pay taxable?

Under Section 32(B)(6)(b) of the 1997 Tax Code, any amount received by an official or
employee or by his heirs from the employer as a consequence of separation of such official or
employee from the service of the employer due to death, sickness or other physical disability or
for any cause beyond the control of the said official or employee is exempt from taxes regardless
of age or length of service. The phrase for any cause beyond the control of the said official or
employee in effect connotes involuntariness on the part of the official or employee. The
separation from the service of the official or employee must not be of his own making. (Sec 4(f).
Revenue Regulations No 1-68; Sec 2(b)(2), Rev. Regs. No 6-82, as amended). Therefore,
separation pay under the foregoing ruling shall not be subject to income tax and consequently to
withholding tax.

Other notes in computing Separation Pay

The amount of the separation pay shall be multiplied with the number of years of actual service.
In computing the length of service, a fraction of at least six (6) months is considered as one (1)
whole year. The computation of separation pay shall be based on the latest salary rate, unless the
same was reduced by the employer to defeat the intention of the Labor Code, in which case, the
separation pay shall be based on the rate before the deduction.
Disclaimer: New and subsequent issuances, rulings, or laws may cause the whole or part of the
article inaccurate or obsolete. It is advised to make inquiries with the Department of Labor and
Employment for more information.