One workplace joke tells of an unemployed person who asked for a job, was hired and also sought to be paid. That missive may have come from an employer who wanted to tell off workers complaining about their low salary levels — that getting paid less is better than not being paid at all.

Guillerma Labrador of Barangay Lagtang in Talisay City, Cebu probably felt that way when sickness forced her to quit as a sewer in a local factory where she worked for 20 years. She then took a job as a cashier at a lotto outlet despite her poor health and body pains.

Recently, the Talisay City police chose Labrador as a beneficiary of a Christmas gift-giving project after learning about her plight. They brought her a traditional sewing machine and groceries, GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak reported.

The machine restored the original livelihood of the 64-year-old lady living in a still unrepaired hut damaged by typhoon "Odette" last year. It also meant that the senior citizen can continue working instead of retiring to support herself and her two jobless children.

While Labrador's sewing service can't earn her enough, Irish Rail finance manager Dermot Alastair Mills was dissatisfied with his £105,000 (P7 million) yearly pay.

Mills has filed a complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission claiming his employer penalized him after he made "a protected disclosure to the Transport Minister" about the red flags he raised on issues with company debtors nine years ago, Mirror reported.

Mills alleged that his responsibility was gradually removed after making the report, with the debt portfolio he was tasked to manage now nil.

He now spends his time in the office doing no work and just sitting, reading newspapers, eating lunch, checking emails (there are none) and walking around. The bored employee added that he "has been blocked out of training opportunities and company meetings," according to Mirror.

The WRC has summoned Mills' employer to explain its side and set a hearing in February.