Inter-Company Transfer

Inter-company transfer within one conglomerate, how to treat affected employees in the Philippines?

 
 
This is one of the common questions I am receiving, so allow me to share my response
 

Sir Sonnie, the scenario is this.. my company will be taken by new entity, change of company name, but it will be handled by same people.. same operation… We will be retained as employees on the same company… Should we expect  them to give us separation pay?

 
Thank you..

 
My answer:
 
 

Process

 
If the context of your Q is a merger, please go here
 
If the context is you will be transferred from and to sisters company or the old company will cease to exist, it may be a case of ‘inter-company transfer’. This is not a usual resignation or hiring, since this involves more back-end work of the departments involved, operations and employee attendance are not affected. An example of inter-company transfer is when employees from one member company are transferred to another member company of a conglomerate, or when business operations will be taken over by new management or company and employees will be retained.
 
In an ideal environment, before planned changes are rolled out, the effect on the employment of affected employees should have been planned for and discussed to employees prior to the implementation of change. Two options:
 

• If tenure will be reset to ‘0’ and employment will be back to proby, then provision on labor code about separation pay for company closure applies.
• If tenure will be carried over, no changes on employment status, salary and benefits. The likelihood is no separation pay

 
Prior to implementation, affected employees should have been informed of the arrangement. In some cases, they were given the prerogative to chose which of the 2 options to take. The process should be discussed and arrangement concurred by the two parties in writing.
 
 

Documentation

• Terms of transfer – This contains the process, steps and arrangments of the inter-company transfer or take over of new management
• Resignation of employee –  Once the terms of transfer is duly concurred, employee now may submit resignation to the old company, depending on the terms of transfer.
• New contract –  The new company may issue a new contract, containing the agreement on the terms of transfer
• Clearance – The old company may process the clearance for documentation purposes and to transfer accountabilities and payables of the employee to the new employer, depending on te terms of transfer

Separation pay

 
 
If the inter-company arrangement is for the new management or new company to treat affected employees as new employee and tenure is reset to zero, then old company should  release commensurate separation pay, that includes separation pay per Labor Code, pro rated 13th month, unused and accrued SL/VL/SIL, release of cash bond and alike.
 
 

Have you gone thru a similar situation before? How was it?