Question & AnswerQ&A (DEPED ORDER NO. 3, S. 2004)
The main purpose is to provide a workable system for resolving work-related grievances of employees in the Department of Education, promoting good labor relations, preventing discontent, and settling grievances at the lowest possible level.
The committee is chaired by the Assistant Secretary (Jesus G. Galvan) and includes the Chief of Curriculum Development Division, Chief of Employees Welfare and Benefits Division, the President of the Central Employees Union, and the 1st and 2nd level representatives of the union.
Grievances include non-implementation of policies on economic/financial issues, employment terms, appointments, promotions, transfers, poor working conditions, interpersonal issues, and other causes of dissatisfaction except those explicitly excluded like disciplinary, sexual harassment, and union-related cases.
Excluded are disciplinary cases governed by DECS Rules on Administrative Disciplinary Cases, sexual harassment cases under RA 7877, and union-related issues and concerns.
The employee should first discuss the grievance with his/her immediate supervisor. If unresolved, the grievance may be appealed to the next higher supervisor, then to the Grievance Committee, then to the Office of the Secretary, and finally to the Civil Service Commission Regional Office.
Immediate supervisors must respond within 3 days; higher supervisors within 5 working days; the Grievance Committee within 15 working days; the Office of the Secretary within 10 working days; and the CSC Regional Office acts following civil service rules within 15 working days after appeal.
A grievance is any work-related dissatisfaction or discontentment expressed verbally or in writing, which the employee believes was ignored or not given due consideration.
The aggrieved party is assured freedom from coercion, discrimination, reprisal, and biased actions in the processing of the grievance.
Only permanent officials and employees with integrity, probity, sincerity, and credibility may be appointed or elected to grievance committees in DepEd.
The Department Grievance Committee has original jurisdiction over grievances from central offices or bureaus not resolved orally and appellate jurisdiction over unresolved grievances from the Regional Grievance Committee.
No, the services of legal counsel are not allowed during grievance proceedings, which are not bound by strict legal rules or technicalities.
Such officials shall be liable for neglect of duty under civil service laws, rules, and regulations.
Employee assemblies or dialogues related to grievances should be conducted at least once every semester to foster communication and prevent grievances.
The aggrieved party must submit a Certification on the Final Action on the Grievance (CFAG) along with the appeal.