Leave Policy Quiz

Leave Policy Overview

• The purpose of this policy is to set out a clear framework covering all types of leave provided by the ESM Group and employees' entitlements.
• This policy applies to all employees working at ESM, Hamilton Aquatics, and Hamilton Training.

Policy Guidelines and Responsibilities

• The annual leave year runs from 1st September to 31st August of each year.
• No leave will be carried over to the next leave year, unless requested in exceptional circumstances and approved by the Managing Director in advance.
• Leave applications are subject to approval from the Line Manager and could be declined if it will impact operational needs.
• Senior Managers may not take more than three weeks' leave at one time.
• Paid annual leave can be taken during an employee's probation period, subject to approval from the Line Manager and Head of Department.
• All leave applications exceeding one week must be submitted and approved four weeks before proceeding on leave.
• Unsatisfactory handovers may result in cancellation of the leave by the Line Manager.

Leave Entitlement

• Calculation, entitlement, and accruals are considered based on the below table:
  • During the 1st year of service: 24 working days, 2 days per month
  • After 1st year of service: 30 working days, 2.5 days per month
  • After completing 5 years of service: 32 working days, 2.67 days per month

Leave Planning per Department

• Departments have specific leave planning rules, including:
  • ESM: mandatory leave during winter and summer breaks, with varying approval requirements
  • ESM Commercial: mandatory leave during winter and summer breaks, with approval requirements
  • ESMlive: leave requests during summertime should be planned based on operational needs and appropriate cover
  • ESM Camps: employees are encouraged to utilize most of their leaves during term times, taking into consideration blackout periods and appropriate planning
  • Support Services: mandatory leave during winter and summer breaks, with varying approval requirements
  • ESMsolutions: mandatory leave during winter and summer breaks, with approval requirements
  • HR | Finance: mandatory leave during winter and summer breaks, with approval requirements
  • Hamilton Aquatics: mandatory leave during summer breaks, with varying approval requirements
  • Hamilton Aquatics (continued): mandatory leave during winter and summer breaks, with varying approval requirements### Leave Policy

Annual Leave

• Employees are entitled to annual leave, with a minimum of one week during the first year of service
• Leave requests during term time will be considered on an individual basis, based on the availability of cover
• Mandatory leave during term breaks is dependent on the operational needs of the department
• Summer leave starts from the end of T2 (Term 2)

Term Time Leave

• Leave requests during term time will be considered on an individual basis, based on the availability of cover
• Operations employees are encouraged to take a minimum of one week during term time
• Mandatory leave during term breaks is dependent on the operational needs of the department

Return to Work

• Return to work can be adjusted by the Line Manager (LM) subject to work being completed prior to leaving
• The exact return-to-work date will be planned in line with operational needs and blackout periods

Extension of Annual Leave

• Any employee intending to extend leave or unable to resume work on the due date must contact their Department Head/Line Manager
• Extension of annual leave is at the discretion of the Line Manager
• Late return to work after annual leave without notification and without prior approval will be dealt with in accordance with the Disciplinary Policy

Leave during Probation

• Annual leave taken during the probationary period must be pre-approved by the Department Head/Line Manager
• Leave during probation not pre-approved will be considered as unpaid leave
• Leaves taken during term breaks will be adjusted from future leave balances within the same year

Encashment | Carry Forward of Leave

• All employees are encouraged to utilize their annual leave subject to work commitments
• Leave can be carried forward to the next year subject to Managing Director approval

Sick Leave

• No paid sick leave will be granted to employees during the probationary period
• Sick leave eligibility per service year:
  • First 15 working days with full pay
  • Next 30 working days with half pay
  • Any subsequent period beyond 45 working days without pay
• Sick leave pay is based on the employee's full salary, including allowances
• A medical certificate is required on the third day of absence
• Line Managers and HODs reserve the right to request medical certificates from the first day of absence

Maternity Leave

• Married female employees with a minimum of 24 months of service are eligible for 45 calendar days of maternity leave with full pay and 15 days at half pay
• Additional 15 calendar days of maternity leave with full pay can be taken after each 2 years of continuous service
• Maternity leave days can be taken at one time, including the period preceding or succeeding the birth
• An employee can choose to attach their annual leave to the maternity leave subject to approval

Paternity Leave

• Married male employees with a minimum of 12 months of service are eligible for 7 working days of paternity leave with full pay
• Paternity leave can be taken as full or half days, based on operational requirements and agreement with Line Manager
• Leave must be taken within 3 months of the child's date of birth

Compassionate | Emergency Leave

• Employees are entitled to take up to 6 working days of Compassionate | Emergency Leave within a service year for specific cases
• Leave should be requested in advance, except in emergency situations where the request and approval can be made retroactively
• Approval is at the discretion of the Line Manager and HOD

Public Holidays

• All permanent employees are entitled to all official public holidays declared by the Government for the private sector
• Public holidays that fall during an employee's annual leave period will be credited back into the annual leave balance
• Employee who has worked on UAE public holidays declared for the private sector will be entitled to an additional day added to the annual leave balance

Compensatory Off | Lieu Day

• Employees who have worked on their weekly off or employees who came to work at the request of their Line Manager will be eligible for a compensatory off | lieu day
• Lieu days must be utilized within 4 weeks from the date | day earned
• No overtime shall be paid in lieu of compensatory days off | lieu days

Pilgrimage Leave

• Each Muslim employee is eligible for special leave without pay up to a maximum period of 30 calendar days, once during their period of service, for the purpose of fulfilling the obligation to make the pilgrimage to Mecca

Study Leave

• Employees with 1 year of service are entitled to up to 5 days of study leave per year, provided the relevant course is with an UAE accredited institution
• Employees with 2 years of service are entitled to up to 10 days of study leave per year
• Employees must submit the course details to the HR Dept. prior to availing the study leave