Special Leave Policy

Aim and Purpose

This policy forms a part of Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (ASPH) people strategy to being a great place to work and be a patient, where we listen, empower and value everyone.

The Trust is committed to be being an employer of choice, offering modern employment practices which support staff to balance their home and work life. Employees therefore may wish to read the following policies in conjunction:

• Flexible working policy
• Annual leave policy
• Career break policy
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

As part of its commitment to improving the working lives of its staff, ASPH recognises the need to support requirements for additional leave where reasonable and can be accommodated in line with service need, understanding that this can benefit both the organisation and its staff in a range of ways:

• Allowing recruitment and retention of valuable skills and experience
• Promotion of equality of opportunity
• Improving staff morale and productivity
• Enabling employees to manage their work and outside commitments and/or interests
• Assisting and reducing anxiety and stress amongst the workforce
• Enabling the Trust to become an employer of choice

The opportunity to find the right balance between home and work is often a critical factor for employees in deciding whether or not to move to a different organisation. Unsatisfactory employee work-life balance may have a number of negative consequences for the organisation and the individual including:

• Ill health;
• Low morale;
• Lack of commitment;
• Poor quality work;
• Absenteeism; and
• High staff turnover

The Trust recognises the need to address these negative factors by supporting staff to access leave arrangements which support them in balancing their work responsibilities with personal commitments.

The aim of this policy is to ensure that all requests for special leave are dealt with consistently and fairly in relation to balancing work and personal responsibilities.

Policy Details

See also:

• Flexible Working Policy
• Annual Leave Policy
• Career Break Policy
• Buying and Selling Annual Leave Scheme