PREPARING FOR THEIR entry into the workforce, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Council (SC), in collaboration with the Guidance and Counseling Office (GCO) for their Career Readiness Program, prepared the graduating Class of 2024 through “BedanBuilder: The Basics,” a seminar on the basic laws governing rights within the workplace at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium, March 9.  

The rationale for the event was “a lack of spaces or opportunities for graduating students to learn about their rights as future employees,” according to Mikaela Dimapilis, the SC’s Fourth-year Representative and the event’s organizer. “I think it’s vital for a future employee na alam mo ang karapatan mo and alam mo dapat yung mga dapat and hindi mo dapat gawin in a workplace. Hindi siya kasama sa mga curriculum, or the usual programs of the school,” she added. 

Moreover, Dimapilis also mentioned that the seminar was part of her goal to push for “career-based programs” that would serve as a steppingstone for her batchmates in entering the workforce after graduation. 

One of the speakers for the activity was Ms. Tessa Mercado, CHRA, aPHR, a Certified Human Research Associate, the current director of HR and Operations in a US-based software company, and a content creator under the moniker “The Millennial Manager.” With her also was Atty. Edrian M. Apaya, an alumnus of the San Beda University (SBU) College of Law (COL) with an extensive background in Labor Law. 

Together, they imparted their knowledge on the types of employees, government-mandated benefits, and provisions of law protecting workers’ rights. Questions on labor standards and relations were also expounded upon, such as recourse to workplace discrimination and harassment, health standards within the workplace, and duties of employers. 

Leaving an impression on seminar attendees, some students shared their approval for an initiative to ensure their readiness once they pursue professional careers. Carl Anthony Canio, a student from the Department of Psychology, said that “these topics are seldomly touched by our parents, mas maganda na advance na ‘yung adulting process din namin.” Highlights throughout the lecture included topics on workplace safety, terms of employment, and steps to seek protection against violations committed against workers. 

Despite the positive feedback garnered by the event, it was not without some minor hurdles. Another student-attendee shared that they started to lose their focus during the latter part of the lecture about laws in the workplace, clarifying that the subject can be tedious to tackle. To address this issue, Dimapilis provided interactive games conducted at the end of each speaker to reclaim the attention of audience members. 

Other points of improvement, as provided by Canio, included a request for more scenarios for applying laws and benefits in the workplace: “Siguro, as a key improvement mas magbigyan kami ng scenarios.” Sharing his closing sentiments, Canio then stressed his appreciation for the event overall “natutuwa ako d’un sa seminar na ’to kasi mas practical siya, mas nakikita namin ang essence of a workplace, ‘yung boundaries, at ano dapat namin gawin.” 

(with Nathaniel Soriano)