https://laborlaw.ph/retirement-pay/

Hello. I'd like to clarify something about this law please.

Retirement pay is an additional pay provided to a covered employee who is retiring. In the private sector, the ½ month pay in retirement pay is equivalent to 22.5 days. Retirement pay requires at least five (5) years of service. Retirement is optional at sixty (60) years old, while mandatory at sixty-five (65) years old.

In the absence of a retirement plan or agreement providing for retirement benefits of employees in the establishment, an employee upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years or more, but not beyond sixty-five (65) years which is hereby declared the compulsory retirement age, who has served at least five (5) years in the said establishment, may retire and shall be entitled to retirement pay equivalent to at least one-half (1/2) month salary for every year of service, a fraction of at least six (6) months being considered as one whole year.

Unless the parties provide for broader inclusions, the term one-half (1/2) month salary shall mean fifteen (15) days plus one-twelfth (1/12) of the 13th month pay and the cash equivalent of not more than five (5) days of service incentive leaves.

1. Does this apply to all businesses operating locally? Be it a small retailer or a large MNC?
2. Is this supposed to be an alternative to retirement plans (like the US' 401k) or does it still apply even if the company offers said retirement plan, i.e. I get the benefit of the plan and a retirement pay?

Idk if the flair is correct, since ang dami kong tanong, rant, at need ng tips from you guys most especially from people who have years of work experiences. But please I need your answers and matino po sana. Much appreciated and thank you very much if mero'n po!

For starters, I was recently hired as automotive sales (probation) 2 weeks ago from this not very known local/filipino engineering and automation company. Sa sobrang hirap ng job market ngayon grinab ko na talaga.

First week ko palang pero feel ko na toxic side ng office namin. You heard that right, office lang namin. Very jerk head manager na kahit small thing lang for everyone super big deal for him at galit na galit sya sakin 2 days after I got hired and already gave anxiety if ever I need to speak or ask on something again. Sobrang tahimik sa office, tipong kabilang cubicle lang need mo pa i-gmail dm mga inquiries mo. Kapag may tanong ka naman, nasasagot naman pero 'yung tipong piling araw lang dipende pa sa mood. Imagine my supervisor just inboxed my inquiries 4 days from now at lastly I feel like I don't belong. So I feel like even for the shortest period of time there, I want to quit already.

But then time came on Monday that someone messaged me on my gmail if I'm interested in their company's position which is really related to my degree which is about financial/banking research. I immediately said I'm interested then they already scheduled me for an initial interview this Friday through online and I already planned to take leave that day. My big issue naman on this one was when I fill their application form, I put that I was employed and needed to render at least 30 days which I shouldn't put kasi nga 'di ba almost 3 weeks palang ako huhu. Idk if they will ask me that on Friday but if ever Idk if I'm going to be honest cuz I know that will affect my application with them and might have a high chance na 'di ako ipasa to the next steps.

Please, I don't want to stay in my company na. Taena nakapag bpo naman ako pero 'di naman 'yung tipong ganito ka-toxic. Totoo pala talaga na iba environment sa mga Filipino owned companies, hindi ko nilalahat pero I'm already experiencing it right now in my current.

Again, tips and answers would be much appreciated and really meaningful to me po. Thank you!

Hi! I recently got hired for a project-based role at a multinational company, and at first, I was really excited about it.

My basic salary increased by more than 30% from my previous job, excluding my allowance.

I also get paid leaves upon hire, HMO with free dependents, and a 14th-month pay. On top of that, I think the experience will look really good on my resume and could open up better opportunities in the future.

However, lately, I've been having second thoughts about completing the entire 2-year contract. I'm considering leaving after just one year for a few reasons.

First, I know I’m only a project-based employee, but I didn’t expect to feel such a difference in how project-based employees and regular employees are treated. I feel like I always have to walk on eggshells and make an extra effort to please and accommodate my coworkers who are regular employees. It’s honestly exhausting because I’m not really a people pleaser, and I don’t like feeling pressured to constantly socialize or adjust myself just to get along with everyone. Sometimes, I just want to be left alone and have my own space without feeling like I’m doing something wrong.

Second, I'm thinking about salary growth. Since this is a project-based role, I'm not sure if I'll receive a salary increase after a year. I'm wondering if it would be better to look for another job once I reach my first year, especially if I can find a role with better compensation and more opportunities for career growth.

For those who have been in a similar situation, is one year of experience in a multinational company enough to leverage for a higher salary when applying elsewhere? Would you recommend staying for the full 2-year contract for the experience and benefits, or is it reasonable to start job hunting after a year?

I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts and experiences. Thank you!

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for some advice on my job search, particularly from recruiters or people who have experience with hiring.

I resigned from my previous job a couple of months ago because I had another job offer lined up, but unfortunately, that offer was rescinded before I could start. I’ve been actively applying for jobs for about a month now, mostly in banking, credit analysis, and underwriting.

I’m considering reaching out to former coworkers and asking whether they could refer me to openings at their current companies. However, since we’re approaching November and December, I’m wondering whether it would be better to reach out now or wait until January, when I expect more vacancies to open up.

I know hiring can slow down toward the end of the year because of the holidays, budget constraints, and people taking leave. On the other hand, I’m concerned that waiting until January might mean missing out on opportunities that are already available, and I don’t want to lose another two months of my job search.

For those who have been in a similar situation, or for recruiters and hiring managers here:

- Is it worth asking former coworkers for referrals during November and December?

- Do companies still actively recruit and process referrals during the last two months of the year, even if actual hiring decisions might be delayed?

- Would it be more strategic to start networking now and follow up in January, rather than wait until January to reach out altogether?

I’d appreciate any insights or firsthand experiences. Thank you!

22F, graduated summa last August, been in my first full time job since July. WFH ako now, 22k net, pero parang ayoko na magwork at all.

For context, nagka part time VA job nako from 2rd to 4th year, earning 30-60k in one month. May savings ako now na 150k.

Hirap kasi ako magfind ng motivation sa wfh na desk job. I have bipolar 2 (diagnosed) and ADHD (speculated), kaya mas doble yung mental drain na naka upo lang ako for 8 hours a day.

Wala rin akong hobbies besides magbasa ng fanfic at magsulat ng fanfic. Naggygym ako 2x a week.

Gusto ko sana itry maging barista, then pag kinaya ko ng 2-3 years, apply ako sa agency for abroad. Kasi kahit papano gusto ko rin naman yumaman bilang breadwinner.

Kaso pag di nagwork, syempre babalik nalang ako sa office job. Kaso ang dilemma ko dun baka hindi na ako makabalik. Sa IT field pa naman, sobrang fast moving ng industry lalo na with AI. Nakakapressure din maging IT kasi expectation yayaman ka.

Badly need advice po kasi resign na resign nako. Di naman ako bugbog sa trabaho dito, pero wala talaga akong motivation to work at aralin yung systems. Probi ako pero na verbal warning nako.

Ayun lang po. Sana makahanap ng mentor na nagstart as barista out of corpo tapos nakaalis ng bansa 🙏 Thank you po.

hi, i started here in my second job as an admin assistant to us leaders. going through training last week and this week but my god i cant help to feel really nervous and i tend to overthink a lot. probably because i have imposter syndrome :( but yeah im just so scared that i might make mistakes you know, and wont be able to catch up as soon as i can. but im rly doing my best to not let this happen. but im so scared i feel like this is my first job again hahahaha 😅 also im having a hard time getting close with my workmates although were all new in this job as well (tho they have other work experiences and im the youngest). and they get along so well now i just remain silent and a little bit distant bc i sometimes like to take things slowly esp with new people im not familiar with. so yeah, i just casually talk and answer when they talk to me haha. all of these makes me nervous as hell too my gosh

i just want to hear yall's opinions, advices since this will surely help me go through my first month here!! ♡

Hello, I recently received an offer for a Junior SAP Functional Consultant position, and I’ll be starting next month. This is actually my dream job, and I’m really happy that I finally got the opportunity.

However, I’m also genuinely scared. I’m a very slow learner, and I’m worried that I might not be able to keep up with the training or understand things as quickly as expected.

I remember back in college, we used SAP, and honestly, my classmates and I hated it because we found it so challenging. I struggled with it too, which makes me even more nervous now that I’ll be working with it professionally.

For those who are SAP consultants, especially those who started with little to no experience, how difficult was it for you to learn SAP? Did you also struggle during your first few months?

Hello, everyone! Start na ng second week ko bukas sa IT field, and sobrang thankful ako kay Lord dahil dito Niya ako dinala.

It's been almost four months since my graduation. During those months, mostly sa province lang ako nag-apply kasi hindi ako sure kung kaya ng budget ko mag-work sa NCR. Gusto ko rin talaga na yung first job ko ay aligned sa career goal ko.

After several rejections, unti-unti na akong nawawalan ng pag-asa. Dumating pa sa point na naisip kong mag-apply na lang sa kahit anong field, basta magkaroon ng trabaho.

Pero unexpectedly, nakatanggap ako ng text at email from a company for an interview. Nag-apply ako through their careers page, hindi pa nga dapat ako mag-apply since the location is in Makati.

Pero thankfully, naging smooth yung buong process, from initial hanggang final interview. Kahit hindi ako ganoon ka-fluent sa English, ginawa ko talaga ang best ko sa pag-prepare.

Now, finally, may trabaho na ako sa field na gusto kong pasukin!

Sobrang thankful ako kay Lord sa opportunity na ito, and of course, sa family ko na patuloy na sumusuporta sa akin, especially noong mga panahong nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa.

Alam kong simula pa lang ito at marami pa akong kailangang matutunan, pero I'm happy na finally, nakapagsimula na ako sa career na pinapangarap ko.

Sa mga fresh grads na naghahanap pa rin ng trabaho, kapit lang! Alam kong nakakapagod at nakaka-discourage ang paulit-ulit na rejection, pero huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Keep trying and trust God's timing. ❤️🙏

I would like to seek advice regarding my current career situation and whether I should remain with my current company or start exploring new opportunities.

I have been with the company for more than a year. I initially worked as a Treasury Assistant for approximately eight months before transitioning to my current role as a Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst. Although I am now primarily focused on FP&A responsibilities, I continue to handle treasury-related tasks as part of my additional responsibilities.

Recently, several finance executives, including my manager, have resigned. As a result, the structure of our Finance team and the stability of my current position have become uncertain.

Given these circumstances, I am considering whether I should remain with the company and wait for further developments or start looking for better career opportunities. I would also like to know whether my experience and current responsibilities would be sufficient to pursue opportunities specifically in FP&A, or whether I should consider exploring other areas of accounting or finance.

I would greatly appreciate any advice on how I should approach this situation and what career path would be most appropriate given my current experience.

Hi everyone! I’m 23 years old and currently working at a local IT company in the Philippines as a Technical Support Engineer.

My role involves both presales and post-sales activities, including presentations, deployment, configuration, troubleshooting, and technical support. We mostly handle firewalls and endpoint security supports too.

My current salary is ₱19,000 gross, with around ₱17,000 take-home pay after Pag-IBIG, SSS, and PhilHealth deductions.

I’ve been gaining experience and certifications through the company, which I’m grateful for. However, I honestly feel like my salary is too low considering the responsibilities I handle and the skills I’m developing.

Another thing that concerns me is that once I become a regular employee, there will be a 2-year employment bond. This makes me hesitant to continue, especially since I’m still early in my career and want to explore better opportunities.

I’m now considering applying to other companies, but I have a few questions:

1. Is it okay to leave my current company even if I’m not yet regular?
2. Is it reasonable to look for another job because I feel underpaid?
3. Should I still include this experience on my resume if I only have around 3–6 months of experience? Will it look bad to future employers?
4. If I decide not to include this company on my resume, what happens to the certifications I earned while working there? Can I still include them?
5. Would it be better to stay longer and gain more experience, or start looking for better opportunities now?

I know I’m still young and early in my IT career, but I also don’t want to make a decision that could limit my future opportunities.

I’m hoping to hear from people who have experienced something similar, especially those working in IT, networking, or cybersecurity.

Any suggestions, advice, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

- They want to earn six digits eventually

- They want work life balance

- They’re worried about AI layoffs

- They don’t wanna work abroad

- They’re good at solving math problems

- They’re introverted and struggle reading people

- They love reading the research methods of research papers and studying statistics

- They like electronics and game development

- They hate theoretical computer science, IT, AI, ML, software engineering, cybersecurity, and probably any other career in tech except game development. They’re also not interested in the constant upskilling needed to stay relevant in tech because they’re burned out by it. They don’t like the constant competition and the fact people usually start from childhood here

- They seem okay with marketing and product/brand management

- They hate reading on accounting and financial statements. They’re also get lost when learning bank and finance stuff

- They struggle with graphic design jobs because they can’t read their clients’ real wants vs what the client is verbally telling them (The client says “This looks great!” while internally thinking the design is bad so that the work is shipped out fast)

- They don’t want law since they’re not adversarial and are worried they’ll die due to aggression from clients or the opposing party

- They don’t want medicine because they’re scared of gore

- Engineering in the country pays poorly unless they go abroad which they don’t want

Hello, OPs. No judgment please. I just need some honest advice.

For context, I’m from Mindanao, and a well known company that starts with “N” reached out to me for a job opportunity overseas. The recruiter successfully convinced me to take the offer, and I eventually relocated to another country.
I genuinely loved it there. I loved the culture, the
accessibility, the affordability, and the overall quality of life.

I made good friends and eventually became part of an expat group. For the first time in a while, I felt like I was in a place where I could enjoy life outside of work.

Then, around Q3, the government released a mandate prioritizing local employees, which meant expats would eventually have to return to their home countries.
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I was selected as part of the first batch to return.
The transition was drastic. I was given less than a month to prepare for a major life change, and it took a toll on me physically and, more importantly, mentally.

I was hoping to be assigned back to Mindanao, but instead, I was assigned to Makati. I know I should be grateful because I wasn’t laid off and was even promoted. However, the role wasn’t something I was passionate about.

When I first started, I became withdrawn from the department. I didn’t really care about getting to know people or building relationships with my colleagues. My work schedule was also a mess, and it was difficult to maintain any kind of work life balance.

Then, around Q3, I was diagnosed with a life threatening illness. It completely changed my perspective on life and made me rethink my priorities.

Thankfully, my managers were supportive and allowed me to take a month off. I also started therapy, but working night shifts hasn’t helped my situation.

I tried asking for a work from home arrangement and a transfer to another department with a morning shift, but both requests were denied. I understand that the company has its own policies, but I honestly feel like I’ve lost the drive to be excited about going to work.

These days, I find myself thinking more about what I’ll do on my upcoming days off than about work itself. I keep asking myself, “What’s my plan for my next few days off?”
I want to spend time with friends, play sports, and enjoy life, but I often miss out on social gatherings because of my work schedule.

I have a decent job and a fairly good salary, so I know I’m in a position that many people would want to be in. I also understand that finding another job isn’t easy, especially when you already have financial stability.

However, I have a colleague whom I’ve known for years who keeps reminding me that I should be grateful because many people would love to have the life I have right now.
And I get it. I’m well aware that I’m fortunate in many ways. I have a decent job, a good salary, and a stable career. I’m not blind to the privileges I have, and I don’t take them for granted.

At the same time, I know she’s in a position where she can afford to be more relaxed about almost everything. Sometimes, I feel like she doesn’t fully understand where I’m coming from. I don’t think she means any harm, but hearing that I should just be grateful makes me feel like I’m not allowed to struggle or be unhappy with my situation.

I can appreciate what I have and still acknowledge that I’m not okay. I can be grateful for my opportunities while also wanting a better quality of life, especially now that my health has become a major priority.

Sometimes, I just want someone to listen without reminding me how much worse things could be. I already know that. What I’m struggling with is figuring out how to make the most of the life I have while making sure I don’t lose myself in the process.

Recently, I started playing sports again, and I’ve become really invested in it. It has helped me physically and mentally, and with everything that’s happened to my health, taking care of myself has become my priority.

For additional context, my current role involves a high volume of calls, especially during peak seasons. The work structure can be overwhelming, and sometimes I feel completely lost.

Now, as I approach my first year in this role, I feel frustrated with myself. I still feel like I don’t know enough about the job, and I dread the days when my colleagues are on leave because I end up being left alone to handle things I don’t feel confident about.

I keep thinking that I should know more by now, but at the same time, I wonder how much of this is because I’m genuinely struggling with the role and how much is because I’ve mentally checked out.

Recently, I came across another company that seems to support the Asia Pacific region, and I’m seriously considering applying. I want to find a role that better fits my skills, allows me to take care of my health, and gives me a more sustainable work life balance.

I know what I’m capable of, and deep down, I know this isn’t the best version of me. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am, and I know I have more to offer. But with everything that’s happened, especially with my health, I feel like I’m reaching my breaking point.

I know I shouldn’t rely on other people’s opinions to validate my feelings, but right now, I want to hear from people who might have experienced something similar.

So, I’d really appreciate your honest thoughts on these questions:

1. Are my feelings valid, or am I just being ungrateful and acting like a brat?

I know I have a decent job and salary, and I sometimes feel guilty for still being unhappy. I understand that many people have it worse, but does that mean I should just accept my situation and stop wanting something better?

2. Do you think I should seriously consider moving to another company, or should I give my current role more time?

I don’t want to make an impulsive decision, especially when I have a stable job. However, I also don’t want to stay somewhere that might be affecting my health and overall quality of life.

3. How do I deal with this situation?

How do I stop feeling so lost and start figuring out what I really want? How do I balance being grateful for what I have with acknowledging that I’m no longer happy with my current situation?

4. Looking back, is there anything I could have handled differently?

I want to learn from this experience and understand what I can do better moving forward.

I’m open to honest advice, even if it’s something I might not want to hear. I just want to figure out my next steps without making a decision I’ll regret later.

Gusto ko lang i-share yung pinaka-wtf na job interview experience ko so far.

1 PM yung scheduled interview namin, pero 12:30 PM pa lang, nasa site na kami. We waited until 2 PM bago kami pinapunta sa mismong venue ng interview.

Shoutout sa nag-assist sa amin kasi mabait naman siya. Wala akong problema sa kanya. Ang problema, naghintay pa kami hanggang 5 PM bago nagsimula yung interview.

Pero eto yung nakakatawang part: parang hindi job interview yung nangyari. Para kaming sumali sa audition ng Pinoy Big Brother.

Yung mismong may-ari ng company, na Chinese, ang nag-interview sa amin kasi wala silang HR. Nag-resign daw yung dating HR nila.

Ang dating sa akin, mas nag-base sa itsura ng applicants kaysa sa qualifications. Parang hindi man lang maayos na nirereview yung resume.

Imagine, nag-effort ka gumawa ng resume, inayos mo portfolio mo, at naghanda ka para sa interview, tapos parang physical appearance ang unang qualification. Job application ba ito o casting call?

Mas interesting pa, ayon sa kuwento nung nag-assist sa amin, may mga bagong hire na raw sila pero may mga nag-back out last minute.

I wonder why.

Gets ko naman na private company sila at may sarili silang hiring process. Pero sana naman, respetuhin din nila yung oras ng mga aplikante.

Imagine, 1 PM ang schedule pero 5 PM na nagsimula. Apat na oras kang naghihintay para sa isang interview na hindi mo alam kung hiring process ba talaga o audition.

Clue: Condo na may Mall sa Taft 😂🤣

I work as a marketing strategist and i honestly believe strategists are kind of safe from being replaced by AI because strategies are very contextualized, nuanced, requires human judgment and understanding.

I just saw a job post that that offers up to $100/hr to train an AI to refine strategic outputs (brand strategy, strategy analysis, research, compettive intelligence analysis, market research, etc).

This makes me sick because i realized that if i take this job, it will also be the death of my job.

Hi everyone!

I’m currently working as a Process Technical Engineer at a semiconductor company in Laguna, and I’m considering moving to Chiyoda Philippines in Ortigas as a Cadet Engineer. I’d like to hear advice from people in the oil and gas industry or those who have made a similar career transition.

My current job in semiconductor:
- Basic salary: ₱26,600/month, with take-home pay usually reaching ₱30,000 or more with OT.
- Benefits: HMO, free lunch and OT meals, shuttle service, performance bonus every 6 months, and 13th-month pay.
- Schedule: Mostly Monday to Saturday, with Saturdays considered OT. I usually work from 7 AM to 7 PM, and there are also weekend duties.
- Expenses: Around ₱3,000–₱4,000 for rent and bills.
- Downsides: The work environment is very fast-paced and stressful, and I barely have work-life balance. I’m also concerned that my long-term career growth will be limited to manufacturing, making it harder to transition into other engineering fields in the future.

The opportunity at Chiyoda Philippines:
- Position: Cadet Engineer
- Reported salary: ₱19,300 basic + ₱5,000 allowance + OT.
- I’ve heard that the cadet program has a 3-year bond, but that the training and experience are valuable.
- I’m not yet sure about the actual benefits, working hours, and work schedule.
- I’m interested because I believe this could provide better long-term career growth, exposure to engineering design and project work, and potentially better opportunities to work abroad.

My main concern is the financial trade-off.
Moving to Ortigas would mean higher rent, food, transportation, and other living expenses. My monthly income would also be lower compared to my current salary. I’m willing to make sacrifices for long-term career growth, but I don’t want to end up struggling financially or getting locked into a 3-year bond that might not be worth it.

For those familiar with Chiyoda Philippines or the oil and gas industry:
- Is the cadet engineer program worth taking, especially for someone coming from semiconductor manufacturing?
- How good is the training and career progression at Chiyoda? Can this experience open doors to opportunities abroad?
- What are the typical working hours, benefits, and realistic monthly take-home pay?
- Is the 3-year bond reasonable, and what should I check in the contract before accepting?
- Considering the salary difference and higher cost of living in Ortigas, would you make this move if you were in my position?

I’m looking at this from a long-term career perspective, not just salary, but I also want to be realistic about my finances.
I’d appreciate any honest advice, especially from current or former Chiyoda employees and engineers who have transitioned from semiconductor to oil and gas. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I recently landed a job as a Management Associate/Trainee at a local food and beverage holding company in the Philippines that manages several restaurant brands across the country.

For a bit of background, I graduated from one of the Big 3 universities in the Philippines, Cum Laude, and held a leadership position in one of my college organizations. I honestly feel very lucky to have landed this opportunity as a fresh graduate, especially since the compensation is pretty good for an entry-level position.

The role involves working closely with the CEO and management team on strategic projects, coordinating with different departments, conducting business research and analysis, improving internal processes, and monitoring projects to ensure they’re completed on time. Basically, I’ll get exposure to different areas of the business and help turn management’s plans into actual results.

I’m excited about the opportunity, but also a little intimidated since this is my first full-time corporate job and the responsibilities seem quite broad.

For those who have worked as a Management Associate/Trainee, or in a similar role, what advice would you give a fresh graduate like me?
What skills should I prioritize developing?
What should I learn or familiarize myself with before starting?
What are the common mistakes fresh grads make in this kind of role?
What can I do to stand out and perform well, especially when working directly with senior management?

I’d really appreciate any tips, insights, or personal experiences. Thank you!

Need advice: Stay in a permanent government job or accept a higher-paying opportunity?

Hi qts! I need unbiased advice, especially from those who have experienced leaving government service.

I’m currently employed in a government agency with a permanent position, but I received a job offer in an international/consular environment. Here’s my comparison:

OPTION 1: CURRENT JOB (GOVERNMENT)

* Salary: ₱44K gross/month
* Status: Permanent/plantilla
* Benefits: GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, mid-year and year-end bonuses, PEI, leave credits, etc.
* Schedule: Monday–Friday, regular office hours
* Personal travel: Can take 5–7 days of vacation/leisure travel around 2–3 times a year
* Work travel: May opportunities din for official local/international trips
* Job security: Very stable
* Career growth: Salary progression is slow, but may opportunities for promotion
* Work environment: Familiar na sa work and colleagues, although stressful during peak periods

OPTION 2: NEW JOB (INTERNATIONAL/CONSULAR ENVIRONMENT)

* Salary: ₱80K gross/month
* Status: Probationary, subject to performance-based regularization
* Benefits: 13th-month pay, possible 14th-month pay (subject to approval), DOLE-based leave benefits
* Schedule: Regular office hours, with overtime pay
* Personal travel: Not sure yet kung gaano ka-flexible mag-leave for vacations
* Work travel: Opportunities are still uncertain
* Job security: Less stable compared to a permanent government position
* Career growth: More exposure aligned with my long-term career goals; salary increase upon regularization is negotiable but not guaranteed
* Work environment: New responsibilities and adjustment period
* Resignation notice: Minimum of 2 months

If you were in my position, would you choose stability, benefits, and flexibility or higher pay and new career opportunities?

Sa mga umalis sa government for a higher-paying job, worth it ba? Any regrets?

Would appreciate your honest advice. Thank you! 🥹

Recently got hit by a layoff, and the severance package being offered is quite substantial (tax-free lump sum based on tenure + allowances + prorated 13th month + leave encashment).

However, right before leaving, I received an internal offer for a higher-level role.

I'm in a bit of a dilemma and would appreciate some advice/ perspective from people who have been in a similar situation.

Financial context: • I am not a breadwinner and currently have no outstanding debts or major bills to pay. • Based on my calculations, the severance payout alone is equivalent to roughly 7 to 8 months of my salary, giving me a very comfortable runway if I decide to walk away.

My main points of conflict:

1. ⁠The Company and Benefits: I actually really like my current company - it's a good work environment with great benefits, which is why I've stayed with them for a long time.

2. ⁠The Role Growth: The new position is more aligned with leadership tasks, which is great for expanding my skill set compared to my previous setup. However, because it's a leadership role, it will definitely come with higher responsibility and a bit more stress.

3. ⁠The Catch: If I accept the internal promotion/offer, I'll have to give up the severance package completely.

4. ⁠Salary Bumps: Internal promotions usually come with smaller salary increases compared to getting hired externally by a new company. It would take me around 7-8 months of working in the new role just to "break even" with the cash I'm giving up upfront.

5. ⁠The Job Market Risk: On the flip side, taking the severance means stepping into the job market with no immediate job lined up.

Has anyone gone through something similar? Is it better to take the clean exit with the 7-8 month payout and apply externally for roles with higher pay potential, or take the internal step-up for the title change/experience first and jump later?

Would appreciate your thoughts/advice on my situation. Thank you!

I’m currently in a hybrid FP&A, Strategy, and Analytics role and have two job offers on the table that offer a solid pay bump.

Both roles are in the same location and offer the exact same base pay, but they represent completely different career tracks and daily schedules. I’m torn between optimizing for corporate finance depth vs. work-life balance and strategic exposure.

Option A: Strategy & Business Development Role

• Setup & Schedule: Same location and base pay as Option B, but offers flexitime.
• The Work: Heavy on corporate strategy, business development, project management, and incubating new ventures/innovations. High executive visibility with direct reporting lines to leadership. Minimal traditional FP&A and corporate finance workstreams.
• Pros: Flexitime setup, much better work-life balance, direct executive exposure, and broad strategic scope. I'm thinking of offsetting the lack of technical finance in the day-to-day by upskilling on my own time (Financial Modeling courses + pursuing the CFA exam).
• Cons: Less structured/traditional FP&A technical training. Coming from a hybrid background, I'm worried about leaning too far into a generalist "project management / slide deck" loop instead of sharpening hardcore financial engineering skills.

Option B: FP&A Analyst

• Setup & Schedule: Same location and base pay as Option A, but strictly 5x onsite with a rigid 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM schedule.
• The Work: Heavy corporate finance on paper—IRR/NPV evaluations, JV/SPV structures, loan drawdowns, debt servicing, and long-range Master Business Plan projections.
• Day-to-Day Scope Details: Based on what I gathered during the hiring process about the actual workflow:
  1. Around 90% of the project financial models are already built by project teams; half the job involves consolidating 50+ Excel models into one master statement and running scenarios, while the other half is monthly actuals vs. forecast updates for debt and cash flow.
  2. New feasibility and investment analysis is minimal right now.
• Pros: The boss is a highly skilled M&A expert with decades of experience, so I'll be exposed to high-level financial modeling standards and best practices.
• Cons: Grueling 9 AM–7 PM schedule with frequent overtime, and a lot of the day-to-day seems to lean toward data consolidation and actual vs. variance analysis rather than building models from scratch.

My Dilemma: I ideally want a role that blends Strategy and Finance, and each offer leans heavily toward one end—Option A is pure strategy and execution, while Option B is pure technical FP&A.

Part of me has technical FOMO—I want to deepen my AI-resistant finance skillset (debt modeling, cash flows, 3-statement mastery) to eventually land senior FP&A or CFO-track roles, and I'm worried Option A is too "soft" on technicals. On the other hand, Option B's rigid 9-to-7 schedule and frequent overtime seem brutal for the exact same base pay, especially if 90% of the models are pre-built and the bulk of the work is consolidation—though the technical exposure under an M&A veteran could still be invaluable.

For those in Corporate Finance, FP&A, or Strategy:

1. Which path builds better career equity in the next 3–5 years?
2. Is the FP&A expertise I'll gain in Option B worth the 9 AM–7 PM schedule and overtime grind at the same pay, or can I still pivot into high-level Commercial FP&A later coming from a Strategy/BD role (especially if I pair it with self-study/CFA)?

Would really appreciate any honest perspectives from people who have been at a similar crossroads!

Hi! I’m a Mechanical Design Engineer working for almost 6 years, and currently I’m unemployed and looking for another opportunity. I have a interview on monday with a company and i feel like this is my last chance to find work within this year, I has been so hard to find jobs and I really what to do my best in the upcoming interview.

I like the job details and it is fairly similar with my previous experiences but just a different product this time that I will be designing. I come from designing elevator systems and weighbridges, now sa job na inaaplyan ko it revolves around generators/thermal controls etc. I know sa sarili ko na having knowledge with CAD softwares it will be a smooth transition and im a fast learner kaya i know na maaral ko ung product nila.

Medyo kinakabahan lang ako sa interview baka kasi di ko mapresent sarili ko ng maayos. Like baka sabihin is medyo malayo ung experience ko when i come to the product and all or they ask me questions na di ko masagot. Mostly interview ko is online and eto ung first time ulet na face to face.

Hingi lang po ako sana advice to anyone on How i can ace my interview this monday. Any feedback would be helpful.

Thank you!

Hello guys! May 2 jo's po ako and sobrang lakijg differences nila.

1st: F&B industry/Service Crew

-minimum wage and bayad ot

-no bond

2nd: Pawnshop: Branch Service Associate

-minimum wage din

-2 years bond

Sobrang naguguluhan talaga ako. Pero yung balak ko naman is di naman ako magtatagal sa 1st company, gusto ko lang talaga magkapera this holiday. Tbh, parang maganda yung second company which is pawnshop and sikat sya dito sa probinsya namin. May benefits din siya katapos nung 2 years. Feel ko nagustuhan din ako nung manager cause all smiles sya and cimopliment niya ko. Di ko expect na matatanggap ako kasi don palang sa math exam feel ko bagsak na ko eh. Hahaha personal feelings lang yarn. So baka may suggestions po kayo? Thank you

I’ve been doing my best for my current team. I find answers to their questions, solutions to their problems, process improvement here and there, and even putting a spotlight on each and every one of my team members but today, I really felt so bad. While I am working on a team task that’s very new to us and really needs our attention, I found out that my team members as well as my co-team lead was having another meeting where they are playing and laughing and just having fun.

Don’t get me wrong. I am a big advocator of fun meeting and even fun games for our team but what made me feel really bad is the fact that I am not included in that meeting when in fact, the task that I am working on is a task not just for me but for our team. For most of our tasks, I’ve been giving them instructions to follow even if I did not receive proper instructions as well. I always try to find the answers for them and now it seems like they see me as that toxic colleague. One who only focuses on work and work and work and the draining colleague.

It just feels so unfair. All I wanted was for the betterment of our team and the work we do and suddenly, I am the bad guy.

Now here I am in my room, thinking of things that I did wrong. Trying to figure out why they hate me for wanting and doing my best for the team and worst is thinking that maybe I am the real problem. 😞

I became a college instructor at the same university I graduated from. I didn't expect the hardest part to be my own colleagues.

Just wanted to get this off my chest. Haha.

I'm a fresh IT graduate, and shortly after graduating, I got the opportunity to become a college instructor at the same university where I spent my college years.

At first, I was genuinely happy. I mean, who would've thought that someone who was just attending classes a few months ago would suddenly be standing in front of students, teaching?

It felt like an achievement, especially for someone who was still starting out in life.

Of course, teaching wasn't easy. I had to prepare lessons, create activities, handle different students, and sometimes study topics even more deeply just so I could explain them properly.

There were days when I questioned whether I was doing enough as an instructor. I was still young, still learning, and honestly still adjusting to the responsibility of teaching college students.

But despite all that, I actually enjoyed it.

What I didn't expect was how different things would feel once I started working alongside my former professors.

These were the same people I used to respect, listen to, and look up to when I was a student. So naturally, I thought becoming their colleague would be a great learning experience.

I expected to learn from them, receive guidance, and slowly grow into the role.

But sometimes, reality is different from what you expect.

It's honestly a strange feeling when the people you once admired become the same people who make you feel discouraged in your workplace.

And as someone who's just starting their career, that feeling hits differently.

I understand that every workplace has its challenges. I also know that I'm not a perfect instructor. I still have a lot to learn, and I'm always open to corrections and constructive criticism.

But I believe there's a difference between helping someone improve and making them feel like they don't belong.

What makes it even more disappointing is that I genuinely wanted to become better at teaching.

I didn't expect special treatment just because I graduated from the same university. I just hoped that transitioning from student to colleague would come with a little understanding, especially from people who were once my mentors.

Sometimes I wonder if other young college instructors have experienced something similar.

Have you ever worked alongside your former professors and realized that knowing someone as a teacher is completely different from knowing them as a colleague?

I'm currently exploring opportunities outside academia, but I don't regret teaching. My students were one of the reasons I enjoyed showing up.

I guess this experience taught me that you can genuinely love what you do and still feel that a particular workplace isn't where you belong.

Maybe I'll return to teaching someday, but hopefully in an environment where I can continue learning and growing.

Anyway, just a little ramble from a young instructor who's still figuring things out. Haha.