diff --git a/header.php b/header.php
index 0096fe6..26ee6dd 100644
--- a/header.php
+++ b/header.php
@@ -179,8 +179,22 @@
     }
 
     $order_by_column = ($sort_column === 'timeframes') ? 'last_updated' : $sort_column;
+    $direction = ($sort_order === 'asc' ? 'ASC' : 'DESC');
 
-    $order_clause = "ORDER BY " . $order_by_column . " " . ($sort_order === 'asc' ? 'ASC' : 'DESC');
+    if ($order_by_column === 'status') {
+        $order_clause = "ORDER BY CASE status
+            WHEN 'Pending Submission' THEN 1
+            WHEN '1st Step' THEN 2
+            WHEN '1st Step Pending' THEN 3
+            WHEN '2nd Step' THEN 4
+            WHEN '2nd Step Pending' THEN 5
+            WHEN 'Settled' THEN 6
+            WHEN 'Withdrawn' THEN 7
+            ELSE 8
+        END " . $direction;
+    } else {
+        $order_clause = "ORDER BY " . $order_by_column . " " . $direction;
+    }
 
     try {
         $stmt = $pdo->prepare("SELECT * FROM grievances WHERE category = ? $order_clause");