You are in : Human Resources

Annual Leave

Take it or leave it

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:14

Laura Hutchinson

By Laura Hutchinson

When it comes to job hunting, it is always a good idea to take a look at the prospective employer’s leave policy. No matter how much you love your job, we all need time away to relax, de-stress and recharge. It is also of paramount importance, once you have signed on the dotted line, to plan your annual leave, well in advance.

Being both a client, as well as candidate-centric recruitment agency, we encourage a partnership approach between employer and employee. More and more, we observe that the month of December is accepted by our clientele as yet another production month. And in many cases, an especially busy, if not the busiest month of the year. In order to avoid disappointment, it is therefore recommended to plan your leave period at least six-to-12 months ahead of time, and engage with your employer on the optimum time to enjoy mandatory leave periods offered.

The counting game:

While there are minimum requirements, you will find that some companies are more generous than others when it comes to annual, special, study and family responsibility leave. Some even offer incentive leave, but these fall into the category of the minority. Unless you have been with the same company for some time; it often takes years to accumulate what many would deem a sufficient numbers of leave days. So, if you are in the job market, investigate the company’s policy, as this may affect your final decision.

The December finish line:

As we near the end of the year, when employees may be pulling the short straw to man the office while their colleagues treat themselves to a holiday at some exotic destination - national recruitment specialists, Communicate Personnel, took a quick snapshot of how their engineering, insurance, finance and IT clients manage their respective leave structures.

Wrap my leave package up with a red bow please:

Leave, especially year-end leave, is always a bone of contention. No matter how fraught the previous December holidays were with demanding in-laws, bored children and way too much food, we all want to take leave at the end of the year. Despite this; there will be moments when you wish you were manning the (in some cases) deserted fort, in peace and solitude.

From black to festive red:

Most companies are fairly accepting when it comes to accommodating new staff members’ leave plans over December – even if one has to carry over a deficit number into the New Year. However, be sure to ask before having to forfeit an international holiday that you may have already saved and possibly paid a deposit for.

A Christmas penny or two:

All companies pay out annual leave should you resign. Nevertheless, each company has a limit regarding how much you can accumulate or will be paid out for. When it comes to accumulating leave, some companies only allow six months’ accrual, while others offer up to 24 months.

Hitting the books:

Study leave seems to be an accepted given over all fields, with more provided to post-graduate degrees. Conversely, some employers stipulate that studious employees will only be considered study leave, should they pass their subjects. Fail to make the grade, and this time will be deducted from your annual leave.

New dads tend to fare less favourably in terms of ‘paternity’ leave, when compared to many of our European counterparts. Still, they can utilise what is called family care or family responsibility leave, which ranges from three-to-five days – in order to bond with their new little bundle of joy.

A voice from the clouds:

Religious holidays are confined to those gazetted by the government, but all companies will understand staff taking further holidays, which will be deducted from employees’ annual leave.

Healing powers:

Sick leave is intended for just that - paid days that are allocated to rest and recuperate when you are unwell. A general rule is 30-to-33 day’s sick leave over a three year period. Doctor certificates must be produced should staff members be struck down by the mysterious long-weekend bug, which can sometimes attack suddenly on any given Friday or Monday. One company interviewed encourages their staff to take proactive measures in sustaining good health by offering staff incentive leave for not taking any sick leave during the year.

So when you examine new employee packages, make sure to enquire after the company’s leave policy. Ask whether this will change according to years served, degrees obtained or level reached. It may just make all the difference to a well-deserved and earned year-end rest with friends and family, for both yourself, as well as your boss.