An alleged former payroll officer’s claim that he intentionally delayed employees’ salaries drew widespread criticism from Filipinos.
A Threads user sparked controversy after saying he “intentionally” processes workers’ wages late to supposedly teach them how to manage their finances.
“I was once a payroll officer. I process our salary intentionally late. I thought I was that bad kasi sina-submit ko lang sa bank ang salary application namin online kapag 6 p.m. na,” the Threads user wrote.
“Our employees leave work at 4 p.m. and they always expected their salary to be in their [account] at around 4 p.m. but I wanted them to realize to keep extra money until the next day or late,” he added.
“Ayown, tumatak sa kanila ‘yong ugali ko and may mga natuto, meron ding mga nagalit. No bashing if you found this comment offensive,” he continued.
The post has since been deleted, but screenshots have been taken and shared by social media users.
The revelation alarmed Filipinos, who called him out for the behavior, saying he had no right to treat people who depend on their salaries that way.
“No, sir, payroll officer ka lang. Underpaid karamihan sa mga middle class. Pero lumalaban ng patas. Not everyone has the same resource as you do. Also, you’re not doing [your] job on time. Submitting after working hours? Baka OT [overtime] mo pa ‘yan ah,” an online user said.
“Not a payroll officer, but I endorse incentives for sales staff. I always tell HR [human resources] and my team — ma-late na lahat, ‘wag lang sahod. By hook or by crook, you deliver on time. No room for delay. We don’t know gaano katagal nagtitiis sa gutom ang iba, o di kaya naman, naghahabol sa exam,” another said.
“Wala kang karapatang I-DELAY ang sweldo ng mga empleyado ng kompanyang pinagtatrabahuhan mo for them ‘to realize to keep extra money until the next day or late.’ HINDI IPINAGMAMALAKI ANG GAWAING ‘YAN!” a different X user wrote.
“Wala kang pakialam kung ubusin man nila o hindi ang perang pinaghirapan nila na DAPAT AY MATANGGAP NILA ON TIME. Sino ito? Hindi pa ba ito tinanggal sa trabaho for such display of high-handedness and plain and simple stupidity?” the online user added.
“When I was starting my career mga around 2012, grabe kami mag-antay ng sahod ng mga katrabaho ko. Like, pag-out, nakapila na kami sa ATM sa labas ng office. Then one time, pag-check namin, wala pa din,” another said.
“Tapos lahat kami wala ng pera. So nag-antay kami sa harap ng ATM para lang may pamasahe pauwi. Hindi dahil hindi kami marunong mag-budget, pero dahil ang liit ng sahod namin. Ang sakit sa feeling kaya nang nasa tapat ka ng ATM tapos wala pa laman. Tapos wala ka ng pamasahe,” the Threads user added.
“Why would he be that mean to intentionally delay the salary? May mga bagay na urgent dapat babayaran. Labas na sa kanya ang spending habits ng tao. ‘Yan ang hirap sa [ibang] mga payroll master, they play God,” another said.
Another Filipino said the former payroll officer could face sanctions.
“His actions can fall under multiple violations in a typical Employee Code of Conduct and labor standards, to name: 1. Gross Misconduct [or] Abuse of Authority, 2. Violation of Company Policies on Payroll [and] Compensation, 3. Negligence or Willful Breach of Duty, 4. Unethical Conduct [or] Lack of Professional Integrity,” the online user said.
What the law says
The Labor Code of the Philippines states that wages must be paid at least once every two weeks, or twice a month, at intervals not exceeding 16 days.
“If on account of force majeure or circumstances beyond the employer’s control, payment of wages on or within the time herein provided cannot be made, the employer shall pay the wages immediately after such force majeure or circumstances have ceased,” it added.
“No employer shall make payment with less frequency than once a month,” the labor code said.
An incidence of “force majeure” refers to natural disasters, unforeseen events, or other uncontrollable circumstances that temporarily prevent wage distribution.
A law firm states that delaying a salary for hours could also be “considered a violation of other labor provisions, depending on the frequency and reason for the delay.”
“A one-time delay of a few hours, if reasonably explained (e.g., technical issues, bank delays, etc.), may not necessarily be considered a violation. However, if the delay is repeated or unjustified, it could be interpreted as a failure to comply with the obligation to pay wages promptly,” the law firm said on its website.
The law firm said that persistent delays must be reported to the Department of Labor and Employment.
“Employers are expected to uphold their legal obligation to pay employees’ wages on time,” the law firm said.
