The Union has recently concluded a review of the special leave arrangements for staff who wish to avail of career breaks at the Joint Conciliation Council. As a result a new Company Circular 40/2007 has been issued (copy attached) which now replaces the previous circular 30/85.

In undertaking the review the Union particularly sought to address delays experienced by staff wishing to
 return from career breaks. The main points of the new agreement are as follows:

 Employees on Career Break will be permitted to return to their previous grade and location after the first  year in circumstances where it has been possible to provide temporary cover by means of a temporary  contract, acting up arrangement or temporary transfer and where the position and/or location still exists.
 All Career Breaks will be for an initial minimum period of 1 year (periods of unpaid special leave for  shorter periods to be dealt with on a case by case basis under existing special leave regulations).
 If the career break is extended beyond one year then the vacancy will be filled on a permanent basis and  the employee returning from career break will have to wait for the next fillable vacancy.
 Career Breaks can be extended for up to five years.
 There is a clear application process included in the agreement which provides:     A) Confirmation of the career break at least four weeks before the commencement of the career         break
 B) Unsuccessful candidates will be notified in writing of the decision and the reasons why the
       application could not be allowed
 C)  The right of appeal.

Please contact Head Office for copies of JCC Report and Company Circular 40/2007