Embracing Transition: A Phenomenological Study of Local Government Employees’ Experiences of Reassignment

Abstract

Reassignment is the movement of an employee from one position, office or work location to another within the same Local Government Unit (LGU), without changing their employment status or salary. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of the local government employees of their reassignment under the provincial LGU in Western Mindanao. The study involved eight participants selected through purposive sampling, and data collection continued until data saturation was achieved. Data were gathered using interview guide to gain deep insights and analyzed using reflective thematic analysis guided by van Manen’s lifeworld existentials: lived space, lived time, lived body, lived relation, and lived things to uncover meaningful insights from local government employees’ lived experiences. The analysis generated five themes: Navigating and Adapting to New Work Environment: the Interplay of Space, Comfort, and Psychological Adjustment; Adapting to Physical, Emotional, and Mental Adjustment in a New Work Environment; Reframing Time Through Reflection, Adaptation, and Anticipation in Reassignment; Building Supportive Connections: Navigating Relationships with Colleagues and Supervisors to Adapt and Thrive in a New Work Environment, and Familiarity and Functionality of Work Tools as Anchors for Adaptation and Belonging. These themes show that reassignment is disrupting and transformative. Although it may create emotional distress and structural pressure, it also fosters adaptation, navigate change, and ultimately strengthening resilience and sense of belonging. In conclusion, reassignment serves as supportive and developmental workflow that enhances local government employees’ capability, professional growth, and deliberate coping mechanisms through continuous strategic planning and coordination It is recommended that local government units (LGU) will implement comprehensive transition and reassignment programs to address both the physical and mental health needs, incorporating periodic evaluation and feedback.