Understanding Workplace Considerations for Career Success

Course Overview

In this lesson, we will explore the fundamental rights of employees and responsibilities of employers according to the Philippine Labor Code, helping you prepare for successful careers.

I. Identifying the Goals

Content Standard

We will value the importance of career planning based on our understanding of the different factors affecting the development of career competence.

Performance Standard

We will design a career action plan aligned to our personal values, interests, skills, and workplace aspirations.

Learning Competencies

We will analyze the importance of workplace considerations on career success.

II. REFERENCES and MATERIALS (Selecting Resources and Materials)

Philippines. n.d. Book Three - Conditions of Employment. Presidential Decree No. 442, Labor Code of the Philippines. Accessed October 18, 2025. https://librarylaborlamph/p-d-442-labor-code-book-3/

Respicio & Co. n.d. "Employee Rights and Benefits Philippines." Accessed October 18, 2025. https://www.lawyer-philippines.com/articles/employee-rights-and-benefits-philippines

Pinaywise. 2024. "10 Rights of Employees in the Philippines Explained." Accessed October 18, 2025. https://pinaywise.com/philippines-facts/10-rights-of-employees-in-the-philippines-explained/

A. References

  • Presidential Decree No. 442 - Labor Code of the Philippines
  • Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Guidelines
  • K-12 Life and Career Skills Curriculum Guide

B. Materials

  • Interactive presentation slides
  • Scenario cards for group activities
  • Worksheets: Employee Rights Check
  • Digital handouts on labor laws

C. Online Resources

  • DOLE official website (www.dole.gov.ph)
  • Digital copies of labor regulations
  • Educational videos on workers' rights

III. CONTENT (Sequencing Content)

1. Understanding Workplace Considerations for Career Success

  1. A. Basic Rights of Employees
    1. Fair compensation
    2. Non-discrimination
    3. Rest and time off
    4. Protection from exploitation

Content Flow

Our lesson progresses from understanding basic employee rights to applying this knowledge in practical scenarios, culminating in developing workplace policies aligned with Philippine labor laws.

IV. OBJECTIVES (Setting Clear Objectives and Analyzing the Tasks)

1

Define

2

Identify

3

Relate

By the end of this lesson, we will be able to:

  1. Define workplace considerations and explain why they matter in career success.
  2. Identify the basic rights of employees (fair compensation, non-discrimination, rest and time off, protection from exploitation).
  3. Relate these workplace considerations to our personal values and career aspirations.

Learning Progression: (click to expand/collapse)

We will progress from understanding basic concepts to applying knowledge in real-world scenarios through interactive activities.

  • Stage 1: Conceptual understanding of workplace rights
  • Stage 2: Application through scenario analysis
  • Stage 3: Practical implementation in policy development

Content Overview

A. Basic Rights of Employees

According to Philippine Labor Code (P.D. 442):

  • Normal Hours of Work
  • Overtime Work & Pay
  • Night Shift Differential
  • Rest Days & Holidays
  • Service Incentive Leave
  • Protection for Special Groups
  • Wages & Payment
  • Prohibition of Deductions

B. Responsibilities of Employers

Key employer responsibilities include:

  • Setting clear job expectations
  • Ensuring workplace productivity
  • Implementing fair discipline
  • Observing health & safety standards
  • Creating positive work environment

📊 Visual: Workplace Rights vs Responsibilities Balance

This chart illustrates the balance between employee rights and employer responsibilities for optimal workplace harmony.

Learning Activities

A. Activating Prior Knowledge - OPTION 1

Activity title: Future at Work: Imagine and Share

Instructions:

I will ask you to imagine yourselves five years from now, already working in a company as an employee. You will reflect on this question:

"As an employee, what are the things you would expect from your employer?"

Then, you will be given three minutes to think and write your answers on a 1/4 sheet of paper. Afterwards, selected students will be invited to share their responses in front of the class.

A. Activating Prior Knowledge - OPTION 2

Activity Title: Career Clash Debate

Instructions:

The class will be divided into two teams. Each team will be assigned a stand on a workplace-related debate topic. Each student will be given 1 minute to express their opinions/arguments. You will present your arguments in a structured debate format (Opening Statement, Arguments, Rebuttal, Closing).

Sample Debate Topics:

  1. Which is better: working abroad or working in the Philippines?
  2. Which is more important for career success: skills or attitude?
  3. Which workplace setup is better: work-from-home or office-based?
  4. Which matters more in career growth: networking or hard work?
  5. Which employer is better: a small local business or a big multinational company?

Note

All online resources should be pre-checked for accessibility and appropriateness for Grade 11 students.

B. Instituting New Knowledge

OPTION 1: Employee Rights Check

Activity title: Employee Rights Check

Instructions:

You will be given different workplace scenarios. For each scenario, you must assess whether the basic rights of an employee are being upheld or violated. On a 1/4 sheet of paper, you will write a ✓ (check mark) if the scenario is correct and respects employee rights, or an ✗ (cross mark) if it is wrong and violates employee rights.

  1. Jenny, an employee who always works overtime but does not receive any overtime pay.
  2. A company with a toxic working culture and environment.
  3. You are employed in a company with a good work-life balance.
  4. Employees are experiencing an unfair system in the company.
  5. Employees are happy for they are working light with a good working environment where they can express themselves and be able to express their full potential.

Presentation

After answering on a 1/4 sheet of paper, you will be asked to get a partner and discuss your answers.

2. Discussing New Concept

To discuss the basic rights of a Filipino worker, I will be able to discuss and cite the Basic Rights of Employees According to P.D. 442 Labor Code of the Philippines.

BASIC RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES ACCORDING TO P.D. 442 LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

To safeguard Filipino workers' rights, encourage equity in the workplace, and guarantee social justice between employers and employees, the Philippine Labor Code (P.D. 442) was established. It promotes positive working relationships between companies and employees while establishing clear guidelines for working hours, pay, benefits, and job security. Its primary objective is to strike a balance between business expansion and worker welfare in order to maintain industrial harmony and productivity.

1. Normal Hours of Work

  • Employees should normally work 8 hours a day. Work beyond 8 hours is considered overtime, which must be paid extra.
  • This ensures that workers are not overworked and are paid fairly for extra effort.

2. Overtime Work

  • If an employee works more than 8 hours, they should get at least 25% more pay than their regular hourly rate.
  • If overtime is on a holiday or rest day, the additional pay is at least 30% more.
  • This motivates employers to respect working hours and compensates employees fairly when they need to extend work.

3. Night Shift Differential

  • Employees working between 10 PM and 6 AM must get extra pay (not less than 10% of their hourly rate).
  • Night workers deserve added compensation since they work during difficult hours.

4. Rest Day

  • Workers must have at least one rest day every week.
  • Employers should respect the employee's religious beliefs when setting rest days.
  • Rest days allow workers to recover and spend time with their families.

5. Holidays

  • Employees are entitled to pay on regular holidays even if they don't work.
  • If they work during a holiday, they get double pay.
  • This protects workers' right to rest during national holidays and rewards them if they work.

6. Service Incentive Leave

  • Workers who have served for at least 1 year get 5 days of paid leave per year.
  • This gives employees a chance to rest or attend to personal matters without losing income.

7. Women and Minors

  • The law gives special protection for women and minors in employment.
  • For example, children below 15 are not allowed to work, except in family businesses under safe conditions.
  • This ensures that women and young workers are treated fairly and protected from abuse.

8. Wages

  • Wages must be paid in legal tender (Philippine pesos), not in products or promises.
  • Employers must give payslips showing details of salary and deductions.
  • This guarantees fairness and transparency in pay.

9. Payment of Wages

  • Salaries should be paid at least once every two weeks or twice a month.
  • Payment should be given directly to the worker at or near the workplace.
  • This ensures employees receive their earnings regularly and conveniently.

10. Prohibition of Deductions

  • Employers cannot make deductions from wages unless allowed by law (e.g., taxes, SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth contributions).
  • This prevents unfair wage cuts and protects employees' income.

11. Benefits for Special Groups

  • Special laws give additional rights to women (e.g., maternity leave), minors, and persons with disabilities.
  • This recognizes that some groups need more protection in the workplace.

Labor Code Summary

Summary: Book Three of the Labor Code makes sure employees have fair working hours, proper pay, rest days, holidays, leave benefits, and protection against abuse. It also ensures that wages are paid correctly and on time.

Key Protections

  • Fair working hours (8-hour day maximum)
  • Overtime compensation (25-30% extra pay)
  • Weekly rest days
  • Paid holidays and leaves
  • Transparent wage payment
  • Protection for vulnerable groups

Implementation Goals

  • Balance business needs with worker welfare
  • Promote industrial harmony
  • Ensure social justice in employment
  • Create positive employer-employee relationships
  • Encourage workplace equity and fairness

Teaching Note: (click to expand/collapse)

I will emphasize that these protections are not just legal requirements but essential foundations for productive, sustainable, and ethical workplaces that contribute to both individual career success and national economic development.

  • For Employees: These rights provide security, dignity, and opportunities for growth
  • For Employers: Compliance leads to higher productivity, better retention, and improved reputation
  • For Society: Fair workplaces contribute to economic stability and social harmony

C. Developing Mastery

"Career Vision Presentation"

Instruction:

You should form a group with 10 members each. You are asked to portray a company and be able to showcase the rights of employees. Each group will be given 5 minutes for brainstorming and 3 minutes to present. The presentation will be guided using the rubric below:

Rubric for Role-Playing: Assessing the Rights of Employees

Time Limit: 3 minutes

Criteria Excellent (4 pts) Proficient (3 pts) Developing (2 pts) Beginning (1 pt)
Content Accuracy
(Knowledge of Employee Rights)		 Shows accurate and complete understanding of employee rights; all points are correct and well‑explained. Mostly accurate; minor errors but shows clear understanding of employee rights. Some correct information, but with noticeable errors or missing key points. Information mostly inaccurate or lacks understanding of employee rights.
Creativity & Presentation
(Role‑play delivery)		 Role‑play is original, engaging, and realistic; captures audience attention while clearly portraying workplace rights. Presentation is clear and somewhat creative; role‑play reflects employee rights with minor gaps. Shows little creativity; role‑play is partly confusing or less engaging; rights are only partly shown. Very little creativity; unclear or disorganized; rights not clearly presented.
Teamwork & Participation All members actively participate with balanced contributions; smooth coordination. Most members participate; good coordination with minor imbalances. Unequal participation; some members dominate while others have little involvement. Very minimal participation; poor coordination and teamwork.
Time Management Presentation stays within 3 minutes and delivers a complete message. Slightly over/under 3 minutes but the message is still clear. Noticeably over/under time; parts of the message missing. Did not follow the time limit; incomplete presentation.
Clarity & Communication Lines are spoken clearly with confidence, proper volume, and expression; the audience easily understands. Generally clear and understandable; some lapses in confidence or delivery. Sometimes unclear; the audience has difficulty understanding parts of the role‑play. Very unclear; mumbling, monotone, or poor delivery prevents understanding.

Option 3: "My Most Suitable Workplace"

Which Workplace Fits You?

You will compare different workplace settings (e.g., work-from-home, abroad, office, school) and explain which one you prefer by identifying and justifying the workplace considerations that matter for career success.

Option 4: "My Ideal Workplace"

In this activity, you will be tasked to visualize and illustrate your own ideal workplace. Using a short drawing activity, you will create an image of what your dream work environment looks like. After completing your drawings, you will be asked to present and explain your work to the class. You should discuss the following points:

  1. What makes your chosen workplace "ideal" for you
  2. How it differs from other existing workplaces today
  3. What specific factors (e.g., environment, people, flexibility, culture, opportunities) contribute to making your workplace a place where you believe you can succeed.

D. Demonstrating Knowledge and Skills

1 Finding Practical Application

"POLICY EVALUATION"

Instruction:

You will be asked to look for an interview online and assess the different policies made by various companies in the Philippines. Answers should be written on a single sheet of yellow paper.

Guidelines:

  • Find at least 2-3 online interviews with company representatives
  • Focus on policies related to employee rights and workplace considerations
  • Evaluate whether policies align with Philippine Labor Code provisions
  • Provide specific examples and citations

2 Making Generalization

"REFLECTION"

Instruction:

You will be asked to do a reflection on the different policies in the Philippines. You are asked to write about a policy and tell if it is a good policy or not, and you should explain. A presentation of your answers should be made in front of the class.

Presentation Requirements:

  • 3-5 minute individual presentation
  • Clear explanation of chosen policy
  • Analysis of policy effectiveness
  • Recommendations for improvement (if needed)
  • Connection to workplace considerations discussed in class

3 Evaluating Learning

"POLICY MAKING"

Instruction:

You will be asked to imagine that you will open a company and asked to write a company policy for your employees. The policy should be in accordance with the Labor Code of the Philippines. Answers should be written on a sheet of yellow paper. To make it more challenging, each group will be asked to present their policy in front of the class and I will choose the group who presented the best company policy.

Policy Making Assessment Criteria

Criteria Excellent (10 pts) Good (7 pts) Fair (5 pts) Needs Improvement (3 pts)
Compliance with Labor Code All policies fully comply with Philippine Labor Code Most policies comply with minor issues Some policies comply but with significant gaps Little to no compliance with Labor Code
Clarity & Practicality Policies are clear, practical, and easily implementable Policies are generally clear with minor ambiguities Some policies are vague or impractical Policies are confusing or unrealistic
Comprehensiveness Covers all key workplace considerations comprehensively Covers most key considerations Covers only basic considerations Incomplete coverage of workplace considerations
Presentation Quality Excellent presentation with clear explanations Good presentation with minor delivery issues Basic presentation with some clarity issues Poor presentation quality

4 Additional Activities

Instruction:

Look for a company online and download their company's policy. Make suggestions for the improvement of the company's policy for their future employees.

Requirements:

  1. Choose a Philippine-based company
  2. Download or screenshot their published policies
  3. Analyze current policies against Labor Code standards
  4. Provide specific, actionable suggestions for improvement
  5. Include justification for each suggestion

Submission: This can be submitted as a written report (2-3 pages) or a presentation. Focus on practical, realistic improvements that would benefit both employees and the company.