Waiver of right to punish an employee

"Art. 6. Rights may be waived, unless the waiver is contrary to law, public order, public policy, morals, or good customs, or prejudicial to a third person with a right recognized by law." (New Civil Code of the Philippines)

A waiver of right is a voluntary and intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known legal right or privilege. It has been ruled that a waiver to be valid and effective must be couched in clear and unequivocal terms which leave no doubt as to the intention of a party to give up a right or benefit which legally pertains to him. (G.R. No. 153510, February 13, 2008)

The mere fact that the numerous infractions of respondent have not been immediately subjected to sanctions cannot be interpreted as condonation of the offenses or waiver of the company to enforce company rules. The management prerogative to discipline employees and impose punishment is a legal right which cannot, as a general rule, be impliedly waived. (G.R. No. 153510, February 13, 2008)

In Cando v. NLRC, the employee did not report for work for almost five months when he was charged for absenteeism. The employee claimed that such absences due to his handling of union matters were condoned. The Court held that the employee did not adduce proof to show condonation coupled with the fact that the company eventually instituted the administrative complaint relating to his company violations. Thus it is incumbent upon the employee to adduce substantial evidence to demonstrate condonation or waiver on the part of management to forego the exercise of its right to impose sanctions for breach of company rules. (G.R. No. 91344, September 14, 1990)