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Why does the University offer additional leave?
| To provide staff with additional flexibility in their working arrangements on top of the existing benefits for extra leave through flexible working and work-life balance, which do not apply to all staff. |
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What will it cost me?
| It will cost you your salary for the number of days leave that you take. If you take the maximum number of days it will cost about 4% of your gross salary. If you are a member of a pension scheme, in most cases, you will also have to pay for pension cover for the period of leave. |
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How will I pay for the additional leave?
| You will pay by reducing your salary until the end of the leave period by an amount equivalent to the salary for the number of days requested; each day considered to be about 1/260th of a year; this will be spread evenly over the year from October (or half year from April). Your total salary for the period will be reduced by the amount of days additional leave and your monthly salary adjusted accordingly. At the end of the leave period your salary will no longer be reduced by this amount. |
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Do I have to take 10 days?
| No, you can request to take anything from 1 to 10 additional days in the full leave year and from 1 to 5 days in the half year. |
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If I apply for 5 days or less additional leave at the beginning of the leave year, can I apply for further additional leave in the second half of the leave year?
| No, you cannot make more than one additional leave arrangement in any given leave year. |
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| No, you can take them any time you like subject to the usual approval arrangements; just treat them as a temporary addition to your existing leave entitlement. The additional leave part of your entitlement will be taken first. |
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I work part time; are the 10 days pro-rated?
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I am contracted to work more than the standard week for my grade. How much leave can I request and how much will it cost me?
| You can request up to the equivalent of two of your weeks; each week will cost you 1/52 of your annual salary. You should work with your manager on agreeing the details of the arrangements. |
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When do I have to take this leave?
| During the leave year i.e. by the end of the following September. |
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Can I carry this leave forward at the end of the year, if I haven’t used it?
| This would only be possible in exceptional circumstances. |
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Can I leave this arrangement if I change my mind?
| HMRC guidelines allow you to opt out of a salary sacrifice scheme if you experience one of the lifestyle events defined by your employer. These lifestyle events are detailed in the appendix to the additional leave form. |
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Can I suddenly decide to request additional leave during the year?
| No. You have to make your request by the end of September or by the end of March. If you suddenly need to take extra leave during the year, you would do this through the existing unpaid leave arrangements. |
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Who can apply for additional leave; do I need any length of service?
| Anyone can apply, regardless of length of service. |
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Can my manager turn down my request for additional leave?
| Yes, if it is going to adversely affect the work of the team / department. |
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Will it affect my pension position?
If you belong to USS or the University of Sheffield Pension Scheme, you will continue to pay the same contribution as before, and will also have to pay the employer’s contribution (circa 0.6% of gross annual salary for 10 days leave).
Other scheme members may be affected differently; for further information contact the Pensions Office.
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Will taking additional leave have any effect on my entitlement to state benefits?
As taking additional leave involves reducing salaries, staff should be aware that if their salary falls below the Lower Earnings Limit, their entitlement to state benefits (such as state pension, statutory maternity pay, etc.) will be affected. Staff should consider this before deciding to take additional leave. Any queries should be raised with the Payroll Office.
For staff who have chosen not to join the University's superannuation schemes, as the State Second Pension is linked to NI contributions, there may be an impact on this element of their state pension, although it is anticipated that this impact will be minimal.
Staff who are concerned about the effect of the taking additional leave on their state pension should contact the Pensions Office on x21585. |
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What happens if I leave the University during the leave year?
| As now, you should use any (pro rated) outstanding leave entitlement prior to leaving the University. In exceptional circumstances you may be entitled to payment in lieu of annual leave subject to approval by your Head of Department. |
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What happens if I am sick during this leave?
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I am on maternity leave, can I purchase additional leave?
No. Unless you were already participating in Pay Plus for leave when you started your maternity leave, you will not be able to join the scheme until after you return.
Any additional leave purchased prior to commencing your maternity leave can be taken, subject to the necessary approvals, as normal, usually at the beginning or end of a period of maternity leave. Whilst on maternity leave you will continue to have your pay reduced in line with the arrangements under Pay Plus, unless doing so would reduce your pay below the statutory minimum, in which case the University will fund the additional leave until such time as your pay, with the reduction, is above the statutory minimum. Your faculty HR contact will be able to advise on the practicalities of taking additional leave and maternity leave.
You will be eligible to purchase additional leave on your return to work following your maternity leave, subject to the normal rules of the scheme. |
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How does this leave relate to parental leave?
| They are not related; this leave is in addition to parental leave. |
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Is additional leave a replacement for compassionate leave or time off for dependants?
| No. It is in addition to these other kinds of leave. |
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Does this new policy also mean that I can sell some of my leave?
| No. It is not possible to sell your leave. |
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