SCHEDULE 28 - TIME OFF FOR PUBLIC DUTIES POLICY
1.
ABOUT THIS POLICY
1.1
We wish to enable employees to perform any public duties that they may be committed to undertake and so will give them time off to do so where it does not conflict with the operational needs of our business. We are not legally obliged to grant paid leave for these purposes. The circumstances in which we are prepared to do so are set out below.
1.2
This policy applies to all employees.
1.3
This policy does not form part of any employee's contract of employment and we may amend it at any time.
2.
PERSONNEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POLICY
2.1
Our board of directors (the board) has overall responsibility for the effective operation of this policy and for ensuring compliance with the relevant statutory framework.
3.
JURY SERVICE
3.1
You should tell your line manager as soon as you are summoned for jury service and provide a copy of your summons if requested.
3.2
Depending on the demands of our business we may request that you apply to be excused from or defer your jury service.
3.3
We are not required by law to pay you while you are absent on jury service. You will be advised at court of the expenses and loss of earnings that you can claim.
4.
VOLUNTARY PUBLIC DUTIES
4.1
Employees are entitled to a reasonable amount of unpaid time off work to carry out certain public duties, including duties as a tribunal member, magistrate, local councillor, member of an NHS Trust, prison visitor, police station lay visitor or school governor.
4.2
If you are unsure whether a public service that you perform is covered by this policy you should speak to a Director.
4.3
As soon as you are aware that you will require time off for performance of a public service you should notify your line manager in writing, providing full details of the time off that is being requested and the reasons for your request. In order that arrangements can be made to cover your duties in your absence you should make your request in good time. Each request for time off will be considered on its merits taking account of all the circumstances, including how much time is reasonably required for the activity, how much time you have already taken, and how your absence will affect the business.
4.4
5.
RESERVE FORCES DUTIES
5.1
We are aware that employees who are members of the Reserve Forces (the Territorial Army, Royal Navy Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve or Royal Auxiliary Air Force) may be called-up at any time to be deployed on full-time operations, and are expected to attend regular training. We are under no obligation to offer leave (either paid or unpaid) for reservists to undertake training and you should use existing holiday entitlement to meet training commitments.
5.2
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