Additional Leave Policy

The University operates an additional leave scheme for professional staff as a recognition of long service. The scheme provides up to three additional days of annual leave, awarded incrementally, to eligible staff who have reached the maximum point of their salary scale.

This policy was first introduced in May 2014. It replaces the former “Additional Leave Scheme for Administrative, Technical and Support Staff” document.

The purpose of this policy is to set out the University’s position on the award of additional annual leave to eligible professional staff who have been at the maximum point of their salary scale for three or more years.

This policy applies to all Professional staff of the University, including technical, library and estates grades. Academic staff are not covered by this policy.

Eligibility

Professional staff are eligible for additional annual leave where they meet all of the following conditions:

(a)  They have been at the maximum point of their current salary scale for a minimum of three years.

(b)  They have not exceeded the maximum number of uncertified sick days permitted under the University’s Sick Pay Policy in the preceding 12-month rolling period.

(c)  They have a satisfactory performance record, as assessed by their Head of School or Unit.

Entitlement

Eligible staff may be awarded up to a maximum of three additional days of annual leave over the course of their career with the University, subject to the leave limit set out below. The days are awarded as follows:

(a)  One additional day after three years at the maximum of the salary scale.

(b)  One further additional day after six years at the maximum of the salary scale.

(c)  One further additional day after nine years at the maximum of the salary scale.

The additional days are permanent once awarded and are retained for as long as the staff member remains in service.

Leave limit

A staff member’s total annual leave entitlement, including any additional leave awarded under this policy, must not exceed 30 days.

Where the staff member’s base annual leave entitlement already meets or exceeds 30 days, no additional leave will be awarded under this policy.

Where the staff member’s base entitlement is such that fewer than three additional days can be awarded before the 30-day limit is reached, only the number of days needed to bring the total to 30 will be awarded.

Effect of promotion

On promotion, the staff member will be assigned the annual leave entitlement for the new grade as set out in the Annual Leave Policy. Any additional leave days already awarded under this policy are retained, provided the staff member’s total leave entitlement does not exceed 30 days.

Time spent at the maximum of the previous scale does not count towards the qualifying period in the new grade. The three-year clock resets on promotion.

Entitlement by Professional grade

The table below sets out the additional leave entitlements for Professional grades, based on current annual leave entitlements as set out in the Annual Leave Policy (V2.2). The same principles apply to other Professional grades by reference to their base annual leave entitlement and the 30-day limit.

Note: Base leave figures are drawn from the Annual Leave Policy (V2.2) and reflect the entitlements for staff appointed or promoted from 7 January 2014. Staff appointed before that date may have higher base entitlements under the Annual Leave Policy. In all cases, the total annual leave entitlement including additional leave days must not exceed 30 days.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following:

1. Annual Leave Policy (V2.2)

2. Sick Pay Policy

3. Organisation of Working Time Act 1997

This policy will be reviewed as and when changes are required.