Unpaid leave over summer months in Civil Service

Booella69

Can anyone advise on taking unpaid leave over summer months to care for children.

How does the process work? Can it be refused? Do you need to be out of probation to avail of it?

Starting as clerical officer in the CS and would like to avail of the unpaid leave next year over the summer months but will be on probation till next August so not sure how that will work. If anyone has advise or similar would love to hear it or feel free to pm me

Thanks

fits

I think you have to be there for over one year before you can apply for it but happy to be corrected. You are entitled to a certain amount of parental leave depending on the ages of your children.

bureau2009

You can also apply for a Shorter Working Year. You apply for a number of weeks off and generally it's done well in advance.

wench

You are not eligible while on probation.

While most offices would try to accommodate requests for SWY, if the impact on the work/remaining staff is too much, it can be refused.

This is the governing circular https://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/finance/2009/14.pdf

sekond

I think an exception can be made while on probation - if you are using parental leave and it will expire before you are out of probation (i.e. the child will turn 13). Otherwise, as others said, you need to be out of probation.

Booella69

Thanks all. Great to get some advise. Looks like I will have to wait for the probation period. We have a few years to get to the 13 years so will try the year after. Thanks again