NAG 3: PERSONNEL

TRENTHAM SCHOOL STATEMENT OF INTENT

STAFF LEAVE

Reviewed – September 2021

Reviewed by Board –November 2021

Next review date – September 2024

PURPOSE

1. For the Board of Trustees to recognize its obligations as an Equal Employment Opportunities employer.

2. To adhere to relevant employment contracts.

3. To provide consistency in the granting of discretionary leave.

GUIDELINES

1. Authorisation of leave will not be unreasonably withheld. All decisions will be made as soon as possible and be fair, equitable and consistent within the constraints of available funding and operational requirements.

2. Any applications for leave must be made on the appropriate forms and meet the conditions therein.

3. The Principal has authority to approve leave applications for up to ten working days without consultation with the Board.

4. Applicants for discretionary leave should apply as soon as they are aware they may need it. This is to allow sufficient time to consider whether or not the leave should be granted and, if so, whether or not it will be paid.

5. Applicants requesting leave should be quite clear of the grounds for granting mandatory leave and considering discretionary leave. There should be no expectation of discretionary leave being granted. As the Ministry of Education’s allocation of money for relievers is not normally enough to meet our sick leave requirements, there should be no expectation that discretionary leave will be granted with pay.

6. Applications for discretionary leave and for annual leave for non-teaching staff will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis taking into account the factors that exist at the time of the application. These include:

1. the timing of the leave and possible disruptions to student's education and the school

2. whether the leave could have reasonably occurred during school breaks

3. the availability of suitable relievers

4. the cost to the Board of providing a reliever when leave is with pay

5. the benefit to the school in granting leave

6. the extent of leave already granted

7. the purpose of the leave

7. When a staff member is on sick leave for more than three working days a medical certificate is required which clearly states the basis on which it is written and the period of time it is for.

8. Staff members who have had sick leave are required to complete a ‘sick leave’ form and hand it into the office.

9. Staff members on sick leave as the result of a work-related accident and receiving a payment of 80% of salary may also be entitled to a “top-up” payment of 20% of salary. This payment would be made by their employer (Trentham School). However, each case would be considered on its own merits and any such payment would be made at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.

10. No staff member shall be absent from duty without the prior approval of the school leadership.

11. The Principal retains the sole right of approving the appointment of the required relievers.