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Employment guide

Hire and pay employees
in Philippines

Employment law, payroll compliance, taxes, benefits, and hiring requirements for Philippines — curated and reviewed by Remote&.

Capital
Manila
Currency
Philippine Peso (PHP)
Working Hours
40–48 hours per week
Min. salary
01 — Country basics

Philippines at a glance

Capital
Manila
Language
Filipino and English
Currency
Philippine Peso (PHP)
Working Hours
40–48 hours per week
Public Holidays
19 days per year
Tax Year
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Worker misclassification risk
Classification in the Philippines follows the Labor Code's subordination doctrine — if the employer controls how and when work is performed, employment law applies regardless of contract type. Misclassification exposes employers to back pay, benefit liabilities, and DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) penalties.
05 — Time away from work

Leave entitlements

Leave typeEntitlement
Service Incentive Leave (Paid Leave)5 days per year (convertible to cash if unused)
Sick LeaveNo statutory entitlement; employers commonly provide 12 days
Maternity Leave105 days with full pay (120 days for solo parents)
Paternity Leave7 working days
06 — Contracts & rights

Employment conditions

Probation

Probation cannot exceed 6 months from the employment start date.

Payslip Requirements

Philippine payslips must include employee details, gross earnings, all mandatory deductions (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, withholding tax), and net pay. Payslips must be issued at each pay period — typically semi-monthly.

Employee Rights & Protections

Philippine workers are entitled to: written employment contract, 13th-month pay, payslip, health and safety protections, anti-discrimination protection (including Magna Carta of Women), anti-harassment protection, personal data protection, business transfer protections, and whistleblower protection.

07 — Payroll cadence

Payments

Payment frequency
At least twice monthly (semi-monthly is most common)
Payday
Typically the 15th and 30th (or month-end); employers may define schedules provided the interval does not exceed 16 days.
08 — Off-boarding

End of employment in Philippines

Employment may terminate for just causes (misconduct, negligence, repeated absences) or authorized causes (redundancy, business closure).

  • Just cause: Requires two written notices — first notifying grounds, second confirming decision
  • Authorized cause: Requires at least 30 days' advance notice to the employee and DOLE

Final pay includes unpaid salary, accrued leave, prorated 13th-month pay, and other applicable benefits, typically released within 30 days from the separation date.

09 — Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Four paths: run payroll from HQ for short-term arrangements; engage contractors (valid for genuinely independent work); establish a Philippine entity for direct employment; or use Remote& as Employer of Record — the fastest compliant path without local incorporation.

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