Other types of leave
Sometimes you need time away from work for important events or when the unexpected happens.
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Overview
You can take time off for those events when you need to be away from work — when you’re sick, taking leave to start a family, called up for military service and more.
You should give your manager as much notice as you can of any absences.
Sick Leave
If you need time off because you’re sick, contact your manager at least one hour before you’re due to start work so he or she can make sure your duties will be covered. Contact your manager each day you’re sick and need time off unless you’ve made other arrangements with him or her. If your doctor signs you off for a longer period, such as a month, keep your manager updated with weekly calls.
If you take sick leave:
For up to seven calendar days (including Saturday and Sunday or other non-working days), you need to complete a self-certification form. Your manager will provide this form when you return to work.
For eight or more consecutive days, you need to send a ‘doctor’s fit note’ to your manager.
Keep Your Manager Informed
If you don’t contact your manager, your absence will be classified as ‘unauthorised,’ which will start the Absent Without Leave process and could lead to termination. Persistent, sporadic absence may also trigger the disciplinary process.
Time Off for Medical and Dental Appointments
Please do your best to make appointments outside working hours. When this isn’t possible, try to arrange appointments at the start or end of a day to minimise disruption. Your manager may ask you to make this time up on another occasion.
Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
If you meet the statutory benefit eligibility requirements, you can receive additional benefit payments (“top up”) in connection with maternity, paternity and adoption leaves to supplement statutory benefits. The top up provides you with up to 100% of your pre-leave pay for the following time period:
Maternity leave: 14 Weeks
Paternity leave: 2 Weeks
If you become pregnant, inform your manager as soon as possible. Your manager will explain our maternity and paternity policies and your entitlement to benefits.
Parental Leave
You can take time off work (unpaid) to look after your child or make arrangements for your child’s welfare. These parental leave entitlements are in line with employment legislation.
Compassionate Leave
Talk with your manager if you need to take time off:
For bereavement
Because your spouse/partner has a serious illness
To care for a dependent
Each case will be dealt with sensitively and according to individual circumstances.
Court Attendance Leave
If you are required to be a juror or witness, give your manager a copy of the letter from the court detailing your jury service commitments. If there is a strong business requirement for you not to attend, you may apply for a different date. You’ll continue to be paid while you are fulfilling these duties. You should not make any claim to the court for loss of earnings, only for expenses incurred. If the hearing finishes early and the court tells you that you are no longer needed, inform your manager and return to work.
Educational Leave
Learning new skills is an important part of your development. In special circumstances, such as during examinations or at revision time, you can apply to your manager for educational leave. This must be approved in advance.
Other Time Off Requests
For time off from work related to circumstances not detailed above, you’ll normally be required to take annual leave. However, in some cases, such as for public duties and military service, you may be able to take extra time off, either with or without pay. This extra time off will be given on a discretionary basis. In such cases, discuss your needs with your manager, who will try to accommodate them.
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Contacts
Global HR Service Support
Administration and general information