Time Off

Taking regular breaks and time off is essential for your overall well-being and productivity. It helps prevent burnout, boosts creativity, and ensures you remain at the top of your game.

At Homebox, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that has your health & wellbeing front and foremost in our thinking.

NB: Requests for time off are managed through HiBob, and then authorised by your manager. Please be aware that during your probationary period, your holiday balance will only show what has accrued to date (equates to 2.08 days per month as FTE) but you can still book annual leave in advance. For more information on holiday and sickness policy, please see the staff handbook.

Holiday

25 days of paid holiday each year,
plus Bank Holidays! (as recognised in England).

Our holiday year runs from 1st January until 31st December (with time accrued if you join us part-way through the year) and the rules are simple for requesting such days.

For just one or two days' holiday, we may only need a few day's notice, but for time off longer than three days, we request that you let us know within a reasonable amount of time (usually 4 weeks) so that we can workforce plan effectively.

Please talk to your manager about when you would like to take holiday time off, and please don't confirm any travel plans without talking to them first! All requests are then formalised through HiBob.

If at the end of the year, you have not used all of your holiday allowance then a maximum of 5 days may (subject to agreement) be carried over into the next year, but you would need to use it in the first 3 months of the year. You can read our full policy here, but if you have any questions then please contact the HR team.

Birthdays

A day off for your birthday!
Plus, a day off to celebrate someone else's birthday!

Birthdays work in the same way to holidays ,although you cannot carry over any time off for Birthdays! and they are not part of your formal holiday allowance.

Please talk to your manager about when you would like to take time off to celebrate. It doesn't have to be on the actual day of your birthday, but it should be within a reasonable timeframe (e.g. within a week or two on either side).

We also give you an extra day off to enjoy the birthday of someone else who is important in your life. Whether that be your partner, a son or daughter, mother, father or a close friend. If you are not sure what this might mean for you, please talk to your manager or a member of the HR team.

Sickness

Of course, we do not want you to go off sick, but sometimes you need time off to rest and recover so that you can get back to feeling fit and healthy as quickly as possible.

If you are sick or injured then you must telephone your manager as early as possible (by 8.30am) to inform them that you will not be able to work. You must also stay in contact with your manager throughout your time off and take reasonable steps to help aid your recovery.

You can self-certify for the first week, but after that, we require you to visit the doctor and obtain a certificate to say why you are not fit for work.

Understanding your illness or injury also helps us facilitate your return to work and make reasonable adjustments if necessary.

Time off for medical or dental appointments should also be regarded as sick leave. If at all possible appointments should be made at times when they are least impactful to work e.g. at the beginning or end of the day.

Please be aware that abusing this policy, failing to report, or falsely claiming sick pay will be treated as misconduct under our disciplinary Procedure.

Carers Leave

Family comes first. Take the time you need to care for a dependent without worrying about work commitments.

We afford you up to 5 days paid leave to look after a loved one who might be struggling or is sick. Whether that is a child or an elderly family member, we want to be able to support you in supporting your family so that you can return to work happy in the knowledge that they are safe and looked after.

Please talk to us about any issues or worries you have and we will think about ways in which we may be able to help you.

We also have the provision of employee support who have experts on hand to help you through whatever problems you have, whether they are big or small.

Wellbeing Days

For when times get tough.

We all have moments in our life where things become a little overwhelming and sometimes we just need some time out to deal with the problem at hand.

These are emergency days, and not part of your formal time-off allowance, but we allow you 2 paid wellbeing days each year as a way of supporting you through difficult times.

If this is you, or even if you are unsure, please reach out to either your manager or a member of the HR Team. Within the HR team we have trained Mental Health First Aiders who can aid and support you.

We also have the provision of employee support who have experts on hand to help you through whatever problems you have, whether they are big or small.

Remember, these benefits are here for you to utilize. Whether it's a holiday, a special occasion, or a day to focus on your health and well-being, don't hesitate to take the time you need. If you have any questions about your benefits or need assistance, please reach out to the HR Team. We're here to support you every step of the way.

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