Five-day wellness leave approved for government workers

The Civil Service Commission announced Tuesday that it has approved the grant of a maximum of five days of Wellness Leave for eligible government officials and employees. The CSC said the measure aligns with workplace strategies under Republic Act 11036, or the Mental Health Act.

Under CSC Resolution No. 2501292, the Commission cited provisions of Joint Administrative Order 2023-000 issued with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Health, which identifies mental health as one of the priority areas for workplace health promotion interventions.

The CSC noted findings from a 2025 Global Workplace Report showing that Filipino workers recorded the second-highest stress levels in Southeast Asia, driven by workload demands and lifestyle factors.

“To give employees the space to rest, recover, and care for themselves,” CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap said the leave aims to address challenges faced by the workforce.

The CSC approved the adoption of Wellness Leave with the following guidelines:

Availment period

• May be taken consecutively for a maximum of three days at a time or on separate non-consecutive days.

• Non-cumulative, non-commutable, and forfeited if not used within the calendar year.

Allowable purposes

• May be used for mental health care, physical wellness activities, or a general break from work.

• Distinct from existing leave benefits such as vacation and sick leave.

Application and approval

• Applications must be recommended by the immediate supervisor and submitted to the head of office.

• Filing follows the same procedures for existing leave types.

• Applications must be filed at least five days before the intended date.
  For emergency cases, filing is done upon return to work.

Confidentiality

• Information related to mental health shall be treated with strict confidentiality in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

The policy takes effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation, with a follow-up advisory to confirm the official date.

The CSC said the full guidelines will be available in CSC Resolution No. 2501292 upon publication.