Absence from work alone cannot justify dismissal – SC

The Supreme Court ruled that merely missing work without clear evidence of intent to abandon employment doesn't warrant dismissal. Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh emphasized that an overt act showing the employee's desire to end the job is necessary to justify such a decision. This ruling is significant as it protects employees against unjust terminations based on absence alone, ensuring that employers must provide clear evidence of abandonment to take disciplinary action. This decision reinforces the importance of fair labor practices and due process in employment disputes.