The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved a new policy to support the mental and physical well-being of government employees. This move aligns with Republic Act No. 11036, also known as the Mental Health Act. It reflects the government’s growing focus on healthier and more supportive workplaces. Furthermore, this aims to motivate higher productivity among public employees. Wellness Leave will complement the existing legally mandated leaves for government employees, such as sick leave, vacation leave, and maternity or paternity leave.
Under CSC Resolution No. 2501292, eligible government officials and employees may now avail of up to five days of Wellness Leave (WL) each year. The policy addresses the increasing stress levels among Filipino workers and promotes balance, recovery, and resilience in the public service. This policy reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of every employee in public service. Also, the CSC reaffirms its commitment to a healthy and supportive work environment. The policy aims to boost morale, strengthen resilience, and improve public service delivery.
Strengthening Workplace Mental Health Policies
The CSC issued the policy in line with Joint Administrative Order No. 2023-000 with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Health (DOH). This order identifies mental health as a priority area for workplace health promotion.
The need for this policy is backed by a 2025 Global Workplace Report. The report shows that Filipino workers have the second-highest stress levels in Southeast Asia. Further, heavy workloads and unhealthy lifestyles are major contributors. These findings highlight the importance of wellness-focused workplace policies.
Purpose of the Wellness Leave for Government Employees
The Wellness Leave aims to give employees time to rest and recover. It allows them to care for their mental and physical health without using existing leave credits. In addition, this leave can be used in physical wellness activities or as a general break from work. You can now leave work just to take a rest or to refresh your strength. In a simple word, this is the realization of your “pahinga goal”. More importantly, the Wellness Leave is separate from Vacation Leave and Sick Leave. It focuses solely on wellness and recovery.
CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap described the policy as a proactive response to today’s workforce challenges. She emphasized that wellness leave helps build a compassionate and resilient public service.
Process of Availing Wellness Leave (WL)
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) lets eligible employees use Wellness Leave (WL) for rest, recovery, and self-care. This guide shows you how to apply and use WL step by step.
- Check eligibility and leave balance
Make sure you are an eligible government employee. Remember that Wellness Leave (WL) is non-cumulative, non-commutable, and must be used within the calendar year. Unused WL will be forfeited.
You can take up to three consecutive days at a time or choose separate, non-consecutive days. Plan the dates carefully within the calendar year. - Submit your Leave Application
Complete a WL application using the same procedures followed for Vacation or Sick Leave. Send your application to your immediate supervisor for review and recommendation.
- Obtain Final Approval
The head of office will approve your WL. For planned leave, submit your application at least five days before the intended dates. For emergencies, submit immediately upon returning to work.
Hot Topic: Are Public Teachers Eligible for Wellness Leave?
There have been rumors that public teachers are not eligible for the 5-day Wellness Leave, according to some SDOs and DepEd offices. These claims often cite the two-month vacation per school year as the reason for disqualification. As a result, many teachers have expressed disappointment and frustration, highlighting the strong need for this type of leave. Let’s finally set the record straight, especially as many teachers plan to avail of Wellness Leave in the coming weeks.
According to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and DepEd Order No. 2, s. 2026, public teachers are fully covered by the Wellness Leave Policy. Agencies, however, may grant this leave “subject to their discretion,” giving individual SDOs or DepEd units the authority to determine the process, schedule, and other limitations for applying. Teachers can use Wellness Leave for mental health care, physical wellness activities, or a general break from work.
To ensure a smooth application, there are a few “house rules” to remember. First, agencies must make sure that taking Wellness Leave does not disrupt regular operations or the continuous delivery of services. Second, the leave must be used strictly for the purposes prescribed under the CSC and DepEd policies. Finally, teachers should always check with their specific SDO for any internal guidelines or memoranda on how requests are scheduled and managed. By following these rules, teachers can confidently plan their Wellness Leave while ensuring service continuity.
Related Teaching Resources
To fully support you, we’ve included links to additional teaching resources below. We’d love to hear from you—feel free to message us at ict@alapan1es.com.
- ARAL Summer Remediation Program 2026
- Daily Lesson Log (DLL)
- Lesson Exemplars (LE)
- Modules and LEAP
- Learning Activity Sheets (LAS)
- Lesson PowerPoint (PPT)