A sabbatical is an unpaid period of absence from employment. This period of absence can be used for any purpose, for example travel, study or voluntary work.
Community Base is committed to the use of sabbaticals as valuable, flexible and cost effective development tools that will contribute to improved staff recruitment and retention and improved levels of staff motivation and performance.
Sabbatical leave will be open to all Community Base employees with three or more year's continuous employment. An employee considering taking sabbatical leave should first discuss the matter with their line manager.
All decisions to grant sabbatical leave will be taken by the board of trustees. When considering a request for sabbatical leave the board will take into account how the absence might be covered and the effect the absence will have on the running of Community Base. There will be no automatic right to sabbbatical leave but permission will not be unreasonably withheld.
Sabbatical leave is a variation of an employee's contract of employment. Employees taking sabbatical leave will be protected with full continuity of services for all purposes. Employees will return to their substantive post, employment location and grade and salary scale including any salary increases which may have been agreed in the meantime. Salary increments will be awarded according to normal procedures. The employee and Community Base will enter into a written agreement stating the terms on which sabbatical leave is taken and return to work is arranged.
Sabbatical leave will be unpaid. Annual leave accrued during the sabbatical periond will be paid at the relevant salary scale point on return to work at the end of the sabbatical period. Membership of, and payments under, Community Base's pension scheme will be maintained for the duration of the sabbatical.
Sabbatical leave will be for a maximum of 12 months. There will be no right to extend the sabbatical beyond 12 months unless there are exceptional circumstances agreed by the board of trustees. The employee will give an undertaking to continue work for Community Base for a minimum of 12 months following return for sabbatical leave.
This policy will be reviewed by the board of trustees at least every calendar year.
