Unpaid leave

Nigel DuPree
Member - 158 posts

Thats usually called "AWOL" in the services and usually ends up with a period of time doing unmentionable things with a toothbrush.

However, what is in their employments contracts ?

Does it cover 'unpaid leave' or does it only refer to things like compassionate leave or sebaticals or other time out for occupation courses or training ?

Otherwise, what we are talking about is "common practice" over the years and you could be on a hidding to nothing if historically always authorised unless you can whittle it down over time by not "authorising" leave unpaid or otherwise at the time requested as part of managing work flow.

May have to resort to guilt-trip, not cricket old man to let the team down just now and not being helpfull by automatically granting leave ' as and when ' requested.........

Tricky thing "common practice" and may just have to do it slowly slowly catchy monkey style if not looking ofrward to a mutiny on the bounty

James Fairchild
Member - 296 posts

Surely in their contract there is a mutual obligation for your company to provide work, and for the employee to accept it?

Then again, do you _really_ need these people here? Most managers I know (esp small business) would be pleased if they could save an extra few weeks' wages, especially if the work still gets done by other people in the team.

Thought, however. Ten people in a team, each having three weeks' unpaid leave.... that is 30' weeks a year.... I think you should be looking at whether you in reality need only nine (or 9.5) employees rather than 10.

(10 is a made up number to illustrate, but I'm sure you get the gist).