FACTS:

Private respondent Sinclitica Candido was employed by petitioner Apex Mining Company, Inc. to perform laundry services at its staff house. She was initially paid on a piece rate basis but was later paid on a monthly basis. On December 18, 1987, while attending to her task, she accidentally slipped and injured her back. She reported the accident and was given the option to quit her job with a monetary offer. She refused and was subsequently dismissed on February 4, 1988. On March 11, 1988, she filed a request for assistance with the Department of Labor and Employment. The labor arbiter rendered a decision ordering the petitioner to pay various amounts to the complainant. The decision was appealed to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), which affirmed the labor arbiter's decision. The petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration that was subsequently denied.

ISSUES:

1. Whether the private respondent should be treated as a domestic helper or a regular employee of the petitioner.

RULING:

1. The petition is dismissed. The court ruled that the private respondent should be considered a regular employee of the petitioner. While the nature of the work may be similar to that of a domestic helper, the circumstances differ as the private respondent was working in the staff houses of the company. The court emphasized that the criteria for a domestic helper is serving the personal comfort and enjoyment of the employer's family, which does not apply in this case. The court also rejected the argument that the domestic servant should be assigned to certain aspects of the employer's business in order to be considered an employee. The court found enough evidence to show that the private respondent was separated from the service due to an accident and was entitled to appropriate relief as a regular employee. The payment of separation pay was deemed to be in order.