Wellness Leave Policy (WLP) — Key Rules and Implementation Guide
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) introduced the Wellness Leave Policy (WLP) to support government employees’ overall well-being by allowing dedicated leave days for rest and recovery. This post summarizes the practical rules under CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 01, s. 2026, including who is covered, how many days may be granted, the correct filing timeline, and the confidentiality requirements for mental health–related requests.
Use this as a quick reference for consistent implementation—especially for supervisors and approving officers— while maintaining service continuity and data privacy compliance.
Effectivity: The Wellness Leave Policy takes effect on 01 January 2026, following publication of CSC Resolution No. 2501292, as implemented under MC No. 01, s. 2026.
Author: Tchers' Den
1) Scope and Coverage
Covered Agencies
- Constitutional Bodies
- National Government Agencies
- GOCCs with original charters
- Local Government Units (LGUs)
- State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
Covered Employees
- Permanent
- Temporary
- Substitute
- Coterminous
- Fixed Term
- Contractual
- Casual
COS / Job Order
Wellness Leave entitlement is subject to individual contracts and applicable issuances.
2) Leave Entitlement
| Item | Policy Rule |
|---|---|
| Maximum Days | Up to 5 days per calendar year, subject to agency discretion |
| Separate Leave | Distinct from Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, and Special Leave |
| Non-cumulative | Unused days are forfeited at year-end |
| Non-commutable | Not convertible to cash |
3) Availment Rules
Manner of Availment
- Maximum of 3 consecutive days per availment
- Remaining days may be used on non-consecutive dates
Allowable Purposes
- Mental health care
- Physical wellness activities
- General break from work
Approval Process
- Recommended by the immediate supervisor
- Approved by the head of office
- Filed using existing agency leave procedures
4) Filing Timeline
| Situation | Filing Requirement |
|---|---|
| Planned Wellness Leave | At least 5 days before intended date |
| Emergency Case | File immediately upon return |
5) Confidentiality
All mental health–related information shall be treated with strict confidentiality and handled in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
6) Compliance Checklist
- Use Wellness Leave (WLP) as a distinct leave category
- Track WLP separately from VL and SL
- Enforce 3-day consecutive limit
- Apply 5-day filing rule consistently
- Protect sensitive employee information
- Reset WLP credits every calendar year
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