Leave of Absence Policy 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this is to establish an approach to the granting of special leave which supports staff both teaching and support in managing their work life balance and impacts as little as possible of the education of students. 2. Scope 2.1 Absence from the workplace for all authorised reasons other than sickness absence and days taken as holiday entitlement will be deemed to be leave of absence. 2.2 This and procedure does not confer any automatic entitlement to leave with or pay. Each application for leave will be considered on its merits. All the circumstances relating to the application should be considered in the light of the operational requirements of the academy, including whether the applicant making the request for leave has a separate annual leave entitlement. In such considerations, therefore, the individual needs of the employee must be balanced against the requirements of the academy to ensure a fair and sympathetic general approach. 2.3 See Appendix 1 for details of whether certain categories of absence for special leave will be with or pay. 2.4 Any request which falls within the scope of categories marked `A will not normally be refused, other than in exceptional circumstances. 2.5 Requests for leave of absence within categories marked `B will be considered individually and will be granted or not, according to the discretion of the Principal or other appropriate person, taking account of previous relevant decisions and the particular circumstances. 2.6 Leave will not normally be granted for the following: Marriage of self during term time (teachers) Accompanying partner on holiday or business trip during term time (teaching and term time only support staff) General sports coaching Routine medical, dental or optical treatment where such appointments could difficulty be secured outside working hours. Annual meetings of local organisations such as Rotary Club, Round Table Policy Agreed by NJC 22 nd April 2010 Page 1 of 5
Participation in cultural events, including exhibitions of employee s own (e.g. art) work. 2.7 Discretion must be exercised fairly and must not result in any discriminatory outcomes in relation to the granting of leave. All employees have a statutory right to unpaid time off for family and domestic reasons. In exceptional circumstances the principal may authorise additional special leave. 3. Responsibilities 3.1 Other than the case of an absolute emergency, staff must apply in writing for all requests for leave of absence including applications to attend training or other professional development activities, as soon as the reason for requesting leave of absence is known. Applications must be made to the appropriate member of SLT as line manager or the Principal. 3.2 The Principal/Member of SLT must sign off the leave to approve or not and arrange for the staff member to know the decision. Any leave of absence must be recorded on the absence screen on the Academy Snowdrop Human Resources information system. 3.3 In the case of an emergency, requests for leave should be made to the Principal or appropriate member of SLT as line manager and followed up as soon as is practicable in writing. 4. Transport and Weather 4.1 In the event of transport failure or severe weather conditions, staff must make every effort to come into work at the earliest opportunity. In circumstances where absence due to these circumstances is unavoidable, pay will not be deducted. 5. Refund of Salary 5.1 Where paid leave of absence is granted and payment received from external bodies (e.g. jury service or consultancy work) this income should be received by the academy. Staff should consult the Finance and Resources Director/Finance Manager of their academy before engaging in activities that attract payment from external bodies. 6. Review 6.1 This will be reviewed every two years in consultation with the recognised trade unions. Policy Agreed by NJC 22 nd April 2010 Page 2 of 5
Appendix 1 - Special leave table Reason for request Category Number of Notes pay days Jury Service A With As required See paragraph 5 court A With As required as a witness on behalf of academy court A As required on non academy business Without Emergency medical or optical or dental A With As required treatment Hospital appointments which cannot be arranged outside academy day Serious illness or injury of a dependant or partner Death of a near family member funeral A With 1 day of close family or friend Interview for another post House removal A With 1 day Graduation of close A With 1 day family member examination relevant to professional development Study leave in preparation for required examination as above Meetings of public statutory bodies (e.g. health boards) B With Maximum 5 B With Maximum 5 Public service as A With Maximum 10 Normally a partner, parent, sibling or child Normally a partner, parent, sibling or child Policy Agreed by NJC 22 nd April 2010 Page 3 of 5
justice of the peace of similar Religious observance, holidays or festivals of religious or ethnic groups Conferences or meetings of an B Maximum 5 educational nature Work of the GTC or other approved A By individual bodies Canvassing by candidate standing in local or national elections Annual training in respect of service in A With Maximum 10 non regular armed forces Participation in national or international amateur sporting event as player, referee, coach etc. Accompanying A With As required groups of students on educational visits arranged through the academy Adoption leave A N/A N/A See relevant Maternity leave A N/A N/A See relevant Paternity leave A N/A N/A See relevant Parental leave B N/A N/A See relevant Sabbatical for travel or study purposes or to carry B Without By individual Policy Agreed by NJC 22 nd April 2010 Page 4 of 5
out voluntary work meetings or trade unions or professional association by registered official announcement of outcome for candidate standing in local or national elections. national conference of political party by delegate Other exceptional circumstances A With By individual B Without 1 day B Maximum 5 Key: Requests which fall within the scope of categories marked A will not normally be refused, other than in exceptional circumstances. Requests for leave of absence within categories marked B will be considered individually and will be granted or not, according to the discretion of the Principal or other appropriate person, taking account of previous relevant decisions and the particular circumstances. Policy Agreed by NJC 22 nd April 2010 Page 5 of 5