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Labor relations involve the relationship and interaction between

employees and employers and the machinery whereby labor standards,

terms and conditions are negotiated, fine-tuned and implemented. It is

basically distinguished from labor standards in the sense that the latter are

the standard terms and conditions of employment which employers are

mandated to grant to employees and are the subject of negotiations and

agreements in labor relations.

The core of labor relations comprise of the employees right to self-

organization, association, freedom of expression, right to participate in

decision making and collective bargaining. As a matter of fact, such policies

in labor relations are enshrined and guaranteed by none other than the

Constitution itself.

A main feature in labor relations is the right of employees to

membership in labor organizations for the purpose of collective bargaining

and engaging in concerted activities such as lawful strikes or picketing. In

these labor organizations, member-employees have the right to participate in

deliberations on policy questions, right to be informed and right to vote. In

turn, these organizations are obliged to undertake activities for the benefit of

the members and represent the interest of the employees.

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The labor relations law further speaks of the protection of employees

against unfair labor practices which are prohibited acts generally related to

an employees right to self organization and the observance of collective

bargaining agreements. It is considered illegal to restrain, discriminate,

coerce or unduly interfere with an employees exercise of the right to self-

organization and bargaining.

An employee also has the right to security of tenure. This is likewise a

constitutional right granted to employees, that the employer cannot

terminate the services of an employee except if there is just cause or it is

allowed by law. This right similarly includes protection against unwarranted

and arbitrary demotions and transfers. A violation of the security of tenure

merits reinstatement, full back wages and recovery of damages, as the case

may be, on the part of the employee. Employees are also entitled to due

process in case of termination.

Nonetheless, employees are obliged to diligently perform their work,

follow orders and instructions of employees and to also observe company

policies and collective agreements in accordance with law.

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In case of separation from service, an employee, as a general rule, is

entitled to retirement pay as well.

On the other hand, employers have management rights and

prerogatives. An employer is free to regulate all aspects of employment,

limited only by law. This may include the right to dismiss, right to demote or

transfer employees, right to hire, fix wages and prescribe other company

rules.

Although it may seem that employees are at an advantage given that

the labor code primarily advocates the protection of workers rights, it is not

intended that labor and capital act oppressively against each other. The

protection given to employees is not designed to oppress or destroy capital.

What the labor code does as a product of social legislation is to place

employees on equal footing with capital considering that the latter is

naturally more superior and has more advantage in nature over the former.

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