543 Phil. 151
AZCUNA, J.:
WHEREAS, the COMPANY desires to engage on a retainer basis the services of a physician and the said DOCTOR is accepting such engagement upon terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;The Comprehensive Medical Plan,[3] which contains the duties and responsibilities of respondent, adverted to in the Retainer Agreement, provided:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreement hereinafter contained, the parties agree as follows:
- This Agreement shall only be for a period of one (1) year beginning January 1, 1988 up to December 31, 1988. The said term notwithstanding, either party may terminate the contract upon giving a thirty (30)-day written notice to the other.
- The compensation to be paid by the company for the services of the DOCTOR is hereby fixed at PESOS: Three Thousand Eight Hundred (P3,800.00) per month. The DOCTOR may charge professional fee for hospital services rendered in line with his specialization. All payments in connection with the Retainer Agreement shall be subject to a withholding tax of ten percent (10%) to be withheld by the COMPANY under the Expanded Withholding Tax System. In the event the withholding tax rate shall be increased or decreased by appropriate laws, then the rate herein stipulated shall accordingly be increased or decreased pursuant to such laws.
- That in consideration of the above mentioned retainer's fee, the DOCTOR agrees to perform the duties and obligations enumerated in the COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL PLAN, hereto attached as Annex "A" and made an integral part of this Retainer Agreement.
- That the applicable provisions in the Occupational Safety and Health Standards, Ministry of Labor and Employment shall be followed.
- That the DOCTOR shall be directly responsible to the employee concerned and their dependents for any injury inflicted on, harm done against or damage caused upon the employee of the COMPANY or their dependents during the course of his examination, treatment or consultation, if such injury, harm or damage was committed through professional negligence or incompetence or due to the other valid causes for action.
- That the DOCTOR shall observe clinic hours at the COMPANY'S premises from Monday to Saturday of a minimum of two (2) hours each day or a maximum of TWO (2) hours each day or treatment from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., respectively unless such schedule is otherwise changed by the COMPANY as [the] situation so warrants, subject to the Labor Code provisions on Occupational Safety and Health Standards as the COMPANY may determine. It is understood that the DOCTOR shall stay at least two (2) hours a day in the COMPANY clinic and that such two (2) hours be devoted to the workshift with the most number of employees. It is further understood that the DOCTOR shall be on call at all times during the other workshifts to attend to emergency case[s];
- That no employee-employer relationship shall exist between the COMPANY and the DOCTOR whilst this contract is in effect, and in case of its termination, the DOCTOR shall be entitled only to such retainer fee as may be due him at the time of termination.[2]
A. OBJECTIVEThe Retainer Agreement, which began on January 1, 1988, was renewed annually. The last one expired on December 31, 1993. Despite the non-renewal of the Retainer Agreement, respondent continued to perform his functions as company doctor to Coca-Cola until he received a letter[4] dated March 9, 1995 from petitioner company concluding their retainership agreement effective 30 days from receipt thereof.
These objectives have been set to give full consideration to [the] employees' and dependents' health:B. COVERAGE
- Prompt and adequate treatment of occupational and non-occupational injuries and diseases.
- To protect employees from any occupational health hazard by evaluating health factors related to working conditions.
- To encourage employees [to] maintain good personal health by setting up employee orientation and education on health, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition, physical fitness, first aid training, accident prevention and personnel safety.
- To evaluate other matters relating to health such as absenteeism, leaves and termination.
- To give family planning motivations.
C. ACTIVITIES
- All employees and their dependents are embraced by this program.
- The health program shall cover pre-employment and annual p.e., hygiene and sanitation, immunizations, family planning, physical fitness and athletic programs and other activities such as group health education program, safety and first aid classes, organization of health and safety committees.
- Periodically, this program will be reviewed and adjusted based on employees' needs.
- Annual Physical Examination.
- Consultations, diagnosis and treatment of occupational and non-occupational illnesses and injuries.
- Immunizations necessary for job conditions.
- Periodic inspections for food services and rest rooms.
- Conduct health education programs and present education materials.
- Coordinate with Safety Committee in developing specific studies and program to minimize environmental health hazards.
- Give family planning motivations.
- Coordinate with Personnel Department regarding physical fitness and athletic programs.
- Visiting and follow-up treatment of Company employees and their dependents confined in the hospital.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered dismissing the instant complaint seeking recognition as a regular employee.In a Decision[12] dated February 24, 1997, Labor Arbiter Benjamin Pelaez dismissed the case for illegal dismissal (RAB Case No. 06-04-10177-95) in view of the previous finding of Labor Arbiter Jesus N. Rodriguez, Jr. in RAB Case No. 06-02-10138-94 that complainant therein, Dr. Dean Climaco, is not an employee of Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc.
SO ORDERED.[11]
The Retainer Agreement executed by and between the parties, when read together with the Comprehensive Medical Plan which was made an integral part of the retainer agreements, coupled with the actual services rendered by the petitioner, would show that all the elements of the above test are present.Moreover, the Court of Appeals declared that respondent should be classified as a regular employee having rendered six years of service as plant physician by virtue of several renewed retainer agreements. It underscored the provision in Article 280[16] of the Labor Code stating that "any employee who has rendered at least one year of service, whether such service is continuous or broken, shall be considered a regular employee with respect to the activity in which he is employed, and his employment shall continue while such activity exists." Further, it held that the termination of respondent's services without any just or authorized cause constituted illegal dismissal.
First, the agreements provide that "the COMPANY desires to engage on a retainer basis the services of a physician and the said DOCTOR is accepting such engagement x x x" (Rollo, page 25). This clearly shows that Coca-Cola exercised its power to hire the services of petitioner.
Secondly, paragraph (2) of the agreements showed that petitioner would be entitled to a final compensation of Three Thousand Eight Hundred Pesos per month, which amount was later raised to Seven Thousand Five Hundred on the latest contract. This would represent the element of payment of wages.
Thirdly, it was provided in paragraph (1) of the agreements that the same shall be valid for a period of one year. "The said term notwithstanding, either party may terminate the contract upon giving a thirty (30) day written notice to the other." (Rollo, page 25). This would show that Coca-Cola had the power of dismissing the petitioner, as it later on did, and this could be done for no particular reason, the sole requirement being the former's compliance with the 30-day notice requirement.
Lastly, paragraphs (3) and (6) of the agreements reveal that Coca-Cola exercised the most important element of all, that is, control, over the conduct of petitioner in the latter's performance of his duties as a doctor for the company.
It was stated in paragraph (3) that the doctor agrees to perform the duties and obligations enumerated in the Comprehensive Medical Plan referred to above. In paragraph (6), the fixed and definite hours during which the petitioner must render service to the company is laid down.
We say that there exists Coca-Cola's power to control petitioner because the particular objectives and activities to be observed and accomplished by the latter are fixed and set under the Comprehensive Medical Plan which was made an integral part of the retainer agreement. Moreover, the times for accomplishing these objectives and activities are likewise controlled and determined by the company. Petitioner is subject to definite hours of work, and due to this, he performs his duties to Coca-Cola not at his own pleasure but according to the schedule dictated by the company.
In addition, petitioner was designated by Coca-Cola to be a member of its Bacolod Plant's Safety Committee. The minutes of the meeting of the said committee dated February 16, 1994 included the name of petitioner, as plant physician, as among those comprising the committee.
It was averred by Coca-Cola in its comment that they exercised no control over petitioner for the reason that the latter was not directed as to the procedure and manner of performing his assigned tasks. It went as far as saying that "petitioner was not told how to immunize, inject, treat or diagnose the employees of the respondent (Rollo, page 228). We believe that if the "control test" would be interpreted this strictly, it would result in an absurd and ridiculous situation wherein we could declare that an entity exercises control over another's activities only in instances where the latter is directed by the former on each and every stage of performance of the particular activity. Anything less than that would be tantamount to no control at all.
To our minds, it is sufficient if the task or activity, as well as the means of accomplishing it, is dictated, as in this case where the objectives and activities were laid out, and the specific time for performing them was fixed by the controlling party.[15]
WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, the Decision of the National Labor Relations Commission dated November 28, 1997 and its Resolution dated August 7, 1998 are found to have been issued with grave abuse of discretion in applying the law to the established facts, and are hereby REVERSED and SET ASIDE, and private respondent Coca-Cola Bottlers, Phils.. Inc. is hereby ordered to:Petitioner company filed a motion for reconsideration of the Decision of the Court of Appeals.SO ORDERED.[17]
- Reinstate the petitioner with full backwages without loss of seniority rights from the time his compensation was withheld up to the time he is actually reinstated; however, if reinstatement is no longer possible, to pay the petitioner separation pay equivalent to one (1) month's salary for every year of service rendered, computed at the rate of his salary at the time he was dismissed, plus backwages.
- Pay petitioner moral damages in the amount of P50,000.00.
- Pay petitioner exemplary damages in the amount of P50,000.00.
- Give to petitioner all other benefits to which a regular employee of Coca-Cola is entitled from the time petitioner became a regular employee (one year from effectivity date of employment) until the time of actual payment.
The main issue in this case is whether or not there exists an employer-employee relationship between the parties. The resolution of the main issue will determine whether the termination of respondent's employment is illegal.
- THAT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR, BASED ON A SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW, IN REVERSING THE FINDINGS OF THE LABOR ARBITERS AND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, CONTRARY TO THE DECISIONS OF THE HONORABLE SUPREME COURT ON THE MATTER.
- THAT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR, BASED ON A SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW, IN REVERSING THE FINDINGS OF THE LABOR ARBITERS AND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, AND HOLDING INSTEAD THAT THE WORK OF A PHYSICIAN IS NECESSARY AND DESIRABLE TO THE BUSINESS OF SOFTDRINKS MANUFACTURING, CONTRARY TO THE RULINGS OF THE SUPREME COURT IN ANALOGOUS CASES.
- THAT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR, BASED ON A SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW, IN REVERSING THE FINDINGS OF THE LABOR ARBITERS AND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, AND HOLDING INSTEAD THAT THE PETITIONERS EXERCISED CONTROL OVER THE WORK OF THE RESPONDENT.
- THAT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR, BASED ON A SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW, IN REVERSING THE FINDINGS OF THE LABOR ARBITERS AND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, AND FINDING THAT THERE IS EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 280 OF THE LABOR CODE.
- THAT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR, BASED ON A SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW, IN REVERSING THE FINDINGS OF THE LABOR ARBITERS AND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, AND FINDING THAT THERE EXISTED ILLEGAL DISMISSAL WHEN THE EMPLOYENT OF THE RESPONDENT WAS TERMINATED WITHOUT JUST CAUSE.
- THAT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR, BASED ON A SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW, IN REVERSING THE FINDINGS OF THE LABOR ARBITERS AND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, AND FINDING THAT THE RESPONDENT IS A REGULAR PART TIME EMPLOYEE WHO IS ENTITLED TO PROPORTIONATE BENEFITS AS A REGULAR PART TIME EMPLOYEE ACCORDING TO THE PETITIONERS' CBA.
- THAT THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR, BASED ON A SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW, IN REVERSING THE FINDINGS OF THE LABOR ARBITERS AND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, AND FINDING THAT THE RESPONDENT IS ENTITLED TO MORAL AND EXEMPLARY DAMAGES.
In the case of petitioner Neri, it is admitted that FEBTC issued a job description which detailed her functions as a radio/telex operator. However, a cursory reading of the job description shows that what was sought to be controlled by FEBTC was actually the end result of the task, e.g., that the daily incoming and outgoing telegraphic transfer of funds received and relayed by her, respectively, tallies with that of the register. The guidelines were laid down merely to ensure that the desired end result was achieved. It did not, however, tell Neri how the radio/telex machine should be operated.In effect, the Labor Arbiter held that petitioner company, through the Comprehensive Medical Plan, provided guidelines merely to ensure that the end result was achieved, but did not control the means and methods by which respondent performed his assigned tasks.
Likewise, the allegation of complainant that since he is on call at anytime of the day and night makes him a regular employee is off-tangent. Complainant does not dispute the fact that outside of the two (2) hours that he is required to be at respondent company's premises, he is not at all further required to just sit around in the premises and wait for an emergency to occur so as to enable him from using such hours for his own benefit and advantage. In fact, complainant maintains his own private clinic attending to his private practice in the city, where he services his patients, bills them accordingly -- and if it is an employee of respondent company who is attended to by him for special treatment that needs hospitalization or operation, this is subject to a special billing. More often than not, an employee is required to stay in the employer's workplace or proximately close thereto that he cannot utilize his time effectively and gainfully for his own purpose. Such is not the prevailing situation here.In addition, the Court finds that the schedule of work and the requirement to be on call for emergency cases do not amount to such control, but are necessary incidents to the Retainership Agreement.