Dear Atty. Vlad,

I have been with a manufacturing company in Naic, Cavite for more than 15 years. However, since I found a better paying job in another company, I decided to resign effective immediately. In turn, my manager accepted my resignation. Last week, I learned that that the company where I intend to transfer was razed by fire, causing it to close. Within 30 days from the time I tendered my resignation letter, I retracted it. However, even with such retraction, my manager told me that I can no longer retract it because it became effective already. Was my manager correct? Please help me.

Glenn

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Dear Glenn,

From what you shared to me, you retracted your resignation because the company where you are supposed to transfer, was razed by fire and had to close. In addition, you retracted your resignation letter after it has already been accepted by your manager.

In the case of BMG RECORDS (PHILS.) INC. and JOSE YAP JR., vs AIDA C. APARECIO and NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION G.R. No. 153290, 5 September 2007, the Court, citing its earlier ruling in the case of Intertrod Maritime Inc. vs NLRC, (G.R. No. 81087, 19 June 1991, 198 SCRA 318) stated:

“x x x As held in Intertrod Maritime Inc. v. NLRC:

‘Once an employee resigns and his resignation is accepted, he no longer has any right to the job. If the employee later changes his mind, he must ask for approval of the withdrawal of his resignation from his employer, as if he were re-applying for the job. It will then be up to the employer to determine whether or not his service would be continued. If the employer accepts said withdrawal, the employee retains his job. If the employer does not x x x the employee cannot claim illegal dismissal for the employer has the right to determine who his employees will be. To say that an employee who has resigned is illegally dismissed, is to encroach upon the right of employers to hire persons who will be of service to them.’”

In the above-cited Decision, once an employer accepts an employee’s resignation, the employee can no longer withdraw or retract it unless his employer would agree to such retraction or withdrawal. In your case, since your manager already accepted your resignation, you can no longer withdraw it unless he allows you to do so. It was within your manager’s prerogative whether or not to accept the withdrawal of your resignation. In this regard, he was correct when he refused to accept your retraction.

I hope that I was able to help you based on the facts you stated.

Atty. Vlad del Rosario