This document outlines the legal basis and procedures for implementing grievance proceedings at the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines. It details the objectives of the grievance machinery, which are to remedy grievances, promote good employee relations, and improve morale. Grievances can be resolved at successive levels, beginning with the immediate supervisor, and appealed up through school, district, regional, and department grievance committees. The final appeal is to the Civil Service Commission. The grievance committees are composed of representatives from different levels of management and employees.

1. LEGAL BASIS FOR IMPLEMENTING
GRIEVANCE PROCEEDINGS AT
DEPED
LEGAL UNIT
Atty. Ariz Delson Cawilan

2. DepED ORDER No. 35, s. 2004
“Revision of the Grievance Machinery
of the Department of Education”

3. OOBBJJEECCTTIIVVEESS OOFF GGRRIIEEVVAANNCCEE MMAACCHHIINNEERRYY
1. Determine or provide the best way to remedy
the specific cause or causes of the grievance.
2. Help promote wholesome and desirable
employee relations in the Department and to
prevent employee discontent and dissatisfaction.
3. Create a working atmosphere that is conducive
to good supervisor-employee relations and
improved employee morale, the machinery shall
aim to:

4. a. activate and strengthen the Department’s existing
grievance machinery;
b. settle grievances at the lowest possible level in the
Department; and
c. provide a catalyst for the development of
capabilities of personnel to settle disputes.

5. BBAASSIICC PPOOLLIICCIIEESS
1. A grievance shall be resolved expeditiously
at all times at the lowest level possible.
However, if not settled at the lowest level
possible, an aggrieved party shall present
his/her grievance step by step following the
hierarchy of positions.
2. The aggrieved party shall be assured
freedom from coercion, discrimination,
reprisal, and biased action on the grievance.

6. 3. Grievance proceedings shall not be
bound by legal rules and technicalities.
Even verbal grievance must be acted
upon expeditiously. The services of a
legal counsel shall not be allowed.
4. The head of agency shall ensure equal
opportunities for men and women to be
represented in the grievance committee.

7. DDEEFFIINNIITTIIOONN OOFF TTEERRMMSS
• GRIEVANCE – refers to a work-related
discontentment or dissatisfaction which had
been expressed verbally or in writing and
which, in the aggrieved employee’s opinion,
has been ignored or dropped without due
consideration.
• GRIEVANCE MACHINERY – a system or
method of determining and finding the best
way to address the specific cause or causes
of a grievance.

8. Sources of Disputes:
-Misunderstanding with
the boss
-Disputes/ Complaints
referred by a subordinate,
bypassing the trouble
shooter.
TROUBLE SHOOTER
-Disputes/ Grievances
and Complaints
directly referred by a
subordinate

9. SSCCOOPPEE
The Grievance Machinery shall apply to all
levels of officials and employees in the
Department of Education (DepEd), including
non-career employees whenever applicable.

10. CCOOVVEERRAAGGEE OOFF GGRRIIEEVVAANNCCEE
PPRROOCCEEEEDDIINNGGSS::
1. Non-implementation of:
A. Policies
B. Practices
C. Procedures
on economic and financial
issues and other terms and
conditions of employment
fixed by law.
Including salaries, incentives,
working hours, leave benefits
such as delay in the processing
of overtime pay, unreasonable
withholding of salaries and
inaction on application for
leave.

11. 2. Non-implementation of:
A. Policies
B. Practices
C. Procedures
which affect employees
from :
-recruitment to promotion,
-detail
-transfer,
-retirement,
-termination,
-lay-offs,
-and other related issues
that affect them such as
failure to observe selection
process in appointment and
undue delay in the
processing of retirement
papers

12. 3. Inadequate physical working conditions such as
lack of proper ventilation in the workplace, and
insufficient facilities and equipment necessary for the
safety and protection of employees whose nature and
place of work are classified as high risk or hazardous;
4. Poor interpersonal
relationships
and linkages;

13. 4. Protest on appointments;
5. All other matters giving
rise to employee
dissatisfaction and
discontentment outside
of those cases enumerated
above.

14. The following cases shall NOT be
acted upon through the
grievance machinery:
1.Disciplinary cases which shall be resolved
pursuant to the Revised Rules of Procedures
on Administrative Disciplinary Cases (DepEd
Order No. 49 s. 2006);
-Graft and Corrupt Practices
-Dishonesty
-Misconduct
-Drunkenness
-Tardiness and Absences
-Discourtesy
-Immorality etc…..

15. GRIEVABLE ISSUE VS. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUE
Involves mere dissatisfaction Involves malice and bad faith

16. 3. Sexual harassment
cases as provided
for in RA 7877;
4. Union –related
issues and concerns;
5. Child Abuse Cases.

17. In SAID CASES:
-The personnel concerned
should REPORT the same to
the Division Office.
-Make preventive measures

18. ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCEEDINGS
GRIEVANCE
PROCEEDINGS
JURISDICTION Regional Office Immediate
Supervisor
Grievance
Committees
PROCESS
INVOLVED
Disciplinary
Proceedings
Mediation and
Conciliation
Proceedings

19. Consequence of Non-Reporting:
-May be held liable for Neglect of Duty:
Publishable by Suspension of 1 month to Dismissal
from Service.
Consequence of Acting on Administrative Proceedings without Authority:
-May be held liable for Grave Misconduct:
Punishable by Dismissal from Service for the First Offense

20. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
• The Department shall establish separate grievance
committees in the central, regional, division and district
offices and in schools.
• Only permanent officials and employees shall be
appointed or elected as members of the grievance
committee.
• In the appointment or election of the committee
members, their integrity, probity, sincerity and credibility
shall be considered.
• Officials who refuse to take action on a grievance
brought to their attention shall be liable for neglect of
duty in accordance with the civil service laws, rules and
regulations.

21. JURISDICTION OF GRIEVANCE
COMMITTEES
a. The School GC shall have original jurisdiction over
grievances of teachers and non-teaching personnel in
the school that were not orally resolved.
b. The District GC shall have original jurisdiction over
grievances of employees in the district that were not
orally resolved. It shall also have appellate jurisdiction
over grievances that were not resolved in the Scholl
GC.
c. The Schools Division GC shall have original jurisdiction
over grievances of employees in the division that were
not orally resolved. It shall also have appellate
jurisdiction over grievances that were not resolved in
the District GC.

22. d. The Regional GC shall have original jurisdiction
over grievances of employees in the region that
were not orally resolved. It shall also have
appellate jurisdiction over grievances that were not
resolved in the Schools Division GC.
e.The Department GC shall have original jurisdiction
over grievances of employees in the different
bureaus/services/centers and offices in the Central
Office that were not orally resolved. It shall also
have appellate jurisdiction over grievances that
were not resolved by the Regional GC.

23. COMPOSITION OF THE
GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
A. SCHOOL GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
1. Principal or Head Teacher
2. President of the Faculty Club
3. A teacher who is acceptable to both the aggrieved
party and the object of the grievance to be
appointed by the Principal or Head Teacher.
B. DISTRICT GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
1. District Supervisor/Coordinator or his/her designated
representative
2. Principal of the school where the grievance
originated
3. President of the District Teacher’s Association or
his/her designated representative.

24. C. SCHOOL DIVISION GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
1. SDS or his/her designated representative
2. District Supervisor/Chair/Coordinator of the district where
the grievance originated
3. The President of the Schools Division Teachers Association
or his/her designated representative.
D. REGIONAL GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
1. Regional Director or his/her designated representative
2. Chief or Head of the Administrative Division
3. Two (2) division chiefs to be chosen among themselves
4. Two (2) members of the rank of file, one from the first level
and another from the second level, to be chosen through a
general election or any other mode of the like. In case
there is an accredited or recognized employees union, the
same shall designate said representatives. The first level
representative shall participate in the resolution of the
grievance of first level employees while the second level
representative shall participate in the resolution of the
grievance of second level employees.

25. The two (2) representatives from the rank and file shall
serve for a term of two (2) years.
(5) Designated Bilis Aksyon Partner.
E.DEPARTMENT GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
1. Highest official responsible for Human Resourse
Management
2. Two (2) Division Chiefs, one from the OSEC proper and
one from the bureaus to be chosen from among
themselves.
3. Two (2) members of the rank and file, one from the first
level and another from the second leval, to be
nominated by the accredited or recognized employees
union. The first level representative shall participate in
the resolution of the grievance of first level employees
while the second level representative shall participate in
the resolution of the grievance of second level
employees. The two (2) representatives from the rank
and file shall serve for a term of two (2) years.
4. Designated Bilis Aksyon Partner.

26. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
A. DISCUSSION WITH IMMEDIATE
SUPERVISOR:
- The employee/aggrieved party shall present
his/her grievance orally or in writing to his/her
immediate supervisor, who shall, within three (3)
days from the date of presentation, inform the
employee orally of his or her decision.
- Provided, however, that where the object of
the grievance is the immediate supervisor, the
aggrieved party may bring the grievance to the
next higher supervisor.

27. IN THE ORAL DISCUSSION, THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE
OBSERVED:
a.The employee/aggrieved party shall be put at ease
– every effort shall be exerted to make the
employee who has a grievance feel at ease during
the oral discussion.
b.The employee/aggrieved party shall be
encouraged to talk – the employee shall be
allowed to tell or explain his/her side during the oral
discussion.

28. c. Privacy in discussion – the oral discussion
shall be held in private in a quiet and
secluded spot where the conversation
cannot be interrupted or overheard.
d. The case shall be heard fully – the
supervisor shall seek to keep his/her views
and opinions entirely to himself/herself until
after the employee has explained his/her
side during the oral discussion.

29. e. A definite decision shall be reached – at the end
of the discussion, the supervisor must be prepared
to state his/her position clearly and accurately
based on the merits of the grievance. He/she need
not immediately give a definite decision, but the
decision shall be rendered within three (3) days
from the presentation of the grievance.

30. B. Appeal to the Higher Supervisor – if the
aggrieved party is not satisfied with the
verbal decision, he or she may submit the
grievance in writing, within five (5) days to
the next higher supervisor who shall render
his or her decision within five (5) working
days from receipt of the grievance.

31. C. Appeal to the Grievance Committee – the
decision of the next higher supervisor may be
elevated to the grievance committee within five (5)
working days from receipt of the decision of the
next higher supervisor.
The grievance committee may conduct an
investigation and hearing within ten (10) working
days from receipt of the grievance and render a
decision within five (5) working days after the
investigation. Provided, however, that where the
object of the grievance is the grievance
committee, the aggrieved party may submit the
grievance to the Office of the Secretary, through
the Undersecretary for legal Affairs.

32. • School Level: School Grievance Committee (SGC)
• Division Level: Division Grievance Committee (DGC),
and appealed grievances from the SGC
• Regional Level: Regional Grievance Committee
(RGC), and appealed grievances from the DGC
• Central/Department Level: Department Grievance
Committee (DGC), and appealed grievances from
the RGC
• Civil Service Commission: over appealed
grievances from the DGC

33. • Appeal to the Office of the Secretary
- if the aggrieved party is not satisfied with the decision
of the grievance committee, he/she may elevate
his/her grievance within 5 working days from receipt of
the decision to the Office of the Secretary through the
Undersecretary for Legal Affairs who shall make the
decision within 10 working days after the grievance.
Provided, however, that where the object of the
grievance is the Secretary, the aggrieved party may
bring his/her grievance directly to the CSC, Regional
Office.
• Appeal to the Civil Service Commission Regional Office
- If the aggrieved party is not satisfied with the decision
of top management, he or she may appeal or elevate
his or her grievance to the CSCRO concerned within 15
working days from receipt of such decision. The
aggrieved party shall submit a Certificate on the Final
Action on the Grievance (CFAG) together with the
appeal. The CSCRO shall rule on the appeal in
accordance with existing civil service law, rules and
regulations.

34. DECISION OF THE
GRIEVANCE
COMMITTEE
• The decision shall be in writing and shall contain all
relevant facts and circumstances as well as the law
or rule that was applied.

35. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GRIEVANCE
COMMITTEE
a. Establish its own procedures and strategies.
Membership in the grievance committee shall be
considered part of the member’s regular duties.
b. Develop and implement pro-active measures or
activities to prevent grievance such as an
employee assembly which shall be conducted at
least one every quarter, “talakayan”, counseling
and other HRD interventions. Minutes of the
proceedings of these activities must be
documented.

36. c. Conduct regular and continuing
information drive on the Grievance
Machinery among officials and employees.
“To avoid confusion and circuitry of action
as well as to prevent direct complaints to
the Central, Regional and Division Offices”
d. Conduct dialogue between and among
the parties involved.

37. e. Direct the documentation of the grievance
including the preparation and signing of written
agreements reached by the parties involved.
f. Issue final certification on the Final Action on the
Grievance (CFAG) which shall contain, among
other things, the history and final action taken by
the agency on the grievance.
g. Submit a quarterly report of its accomplishments
and status of unresolved grievance to the Civil
Service Commission Regional Office concerned.

38. • SUMMARY OF GRIEVANCE PROCEEDINGS:
• Discussion with Immediate Supervisor
(3 Days to Decide) (5 Days to Appeal)
• Discussion with Next Higher Superior
(5 Days to Decide) (5 Days to Appeal)
• School Level: School Grievance Committee (SGC)
(5 Days to Decide) (5 Days to Appeal)
• Division Level: Division Grievance Committee (DGC), and appealed
grievances from the SGC
(5 Days to Decide) (5 Days to Appeal)
• Regional Level: Regional Grievance Committee (RGC), and
appealed grievances from the DGC
(5 Days to Decide) (5 Days to Appeal)
• Central/Department Level: Department Grievance Committee
(DGC), and appealed grievances from the RGC
(10 Days to Decide) (5 Days to Appeal)
• Civil Service Commission: over appealed grievances from the DGC

39. • N.B. No portion of this presentation shall be used by anyone without the express
consent of the author