Unpaid leave

ToastMcToast

Hi guy

Just a quick query for ye’s

I’ve been working for an IT company for over 8 years, and am thinking on going to OZ for a year. (I already have my visa sorted)

My work does not have a formal sabbatical or an extended unpaid leave of absent policy.

I’ve asked unofficial what if I took a year off, and was told that basically I would have to resign my post. Then when I do come back, I would be looked on favorably and every effort would be made to find a new post, but there are no guarantees that there would be a position when I return.

I’m not sure if I would be away for a year, and it seems a bit drastic to resign if it ends up I’m only away for a short time.

Just wondering do I have any rights to request extended time off, or is it at the discretion of my employer?

leeroybrown

You have no rights to a long time leave (with the exception of a state recognised carers leave). Civil service positions and some large multi-nationals facilitate long term leaves of absence as part of their terms of employment but very few other employers do.

nesf

Tbh, it's odd for a job to give it and even then it's considered (unofficially) a once in a career kind of thing from what I've heard.

leeroybrown

I think that a civil service worker is entitled to a take an unpaid career break of between six months and five years subject to certain conditions. I'm not 100% sure of the following details as it's based on second hand information but I think that it's possible to take two separate breaks during a career and that the duration can be extended during the break as long as reasonable notice is given.

Saruman

Guy in work had to resign, feck off around the world for 3 months then came back and was rehired. Im assuming he lost his time of service doing it so if he was made redundant he lost any years he was there.

Mrs. MacGyver

leeroybrown wrote:

I think that a civil service worker is entitled to a take an unpaid career break of between six months and five years subject to certain conditions. I'm not 100% sure of the following details as it's based on second hand information but I think that it's possible to take two separate breaks during a career and that the duration can be extended during the break as long as reasonable notice is given.

actually you can get two, between 6 months and five years but you would have to pay voluntary contributins to ensutre there is no gap in your PRSI record for pension purposes.

leeroybrown

That's what I meant above but I hadn't realised that you needed to continue with PRSI contributions. That said it's still an extremely good benefit to have.

Kristopherus

Toasty, if you're employed in Belfast, you have absolutely no rights to any extended leave. The U. K. has never implemented the E.U. Social Directive, so a lot of the privelidges available in the Republic would not be available to you. But best of luck in you efforts to get extended unpaid leave!!

ToastMcToast

Cheers for the replies

tbh, it's what I thought

btw, I'm in Belfast, but working for a Dublin company