WORKING TIME
The Department of Health aims to ensure that wherever practicable, working patterns will be flexible to allow for the achievement of a balance between work and home life. All employees will have a duty to strive for full attendance and to obtain proper authorisation for all absences.
Working Hours: The standard hours of work of full-time staff vary depending on an individuals contractual terms and conditions.
Flexible Working: The Department of Health employs many different staff groups whose working patterns range according to the needs of the business and whenever possible, the Department of Health attempts to apply a flexible approach to working hours. The Civil Service provide a model for flexible working, which has been adopted by departments of Government where such a scheme can be accommodated, without impacting on service delivery. It provides a framework for flexible working.
Overtime: Any overtime work must be agreed and authorised by the line manager prior to it being worked. The DH takes its responsibility to staff welfare very seriously. The provision of sick pay and appropriate support is offered to all staff.
Sickness: Generally in the event of absence due to sickness, employees will have to notify (preferably by phone) their line manager on the first day no later than one hour after their normal start time. They will have to give details of the sickness and an indication of when they are likely to return to work. On returning to work, the employee will have to fill in a Sickness Declaration Form and would normally have a return to work interview to ensure the organisation is able to support the employee after their absence.
Annual Leave: The annual leave allowances will vary depending on how many years of service the employee has completed. Full details of individual’s entitlement will be outlines in the terms and conditions of their contract.
General Public Holidays Entitlement (GPH): In addition to annual leave, employees will be entitled to ten public holidays each year. These include New Years Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, Senior Race Day, Tynwald Day, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Staff who are on rota patterns covering 24 hours a day, seven days a week are entitled to take their GPH Entitlement at another time due to them having to work on a GPH.
Study Leave: See Development.
Special Leave: Special leave can be paid or unpaid in some cases an employee will be entitled to payment for an activity for which special leave has been granted. The categories for special leave include: time off for Civic, Public and Trade Union duties; paternity, parental, adoption, compassionate and carers leave; medical appointments; Island, Commonwealth and Olympic Games; Territorial and Auxiliary Forces; RNLI, Civil Defence, Coastguard and Fire Fighters; jury service. Special leave is usually considered on a case-by-case basis.
Maternity Arrangements: Employees are provided with protection from discrimination in respect of dismissal on grounds of pregnancy. Every pregnant employee is entitled to Statutory Maternity Leave (26 weeks’ ordinary maternity leave) and Statutory Maternity Allowance. Further enhancement will depend on the length of service and the criteria can be found in the terms and conditions of employment. They will normally be given paid time off to attend an antenatal care appointments. Pregnant employees should give as much notice as possible of the expected date of birth and the intended date of finishing work.
Paternity Arrangements: Paternity leave is available to all DH employees and the payment for which varies, according to the terms and conditions of the employee.
Rest Breaks: Where the working day is longer than six hours, all staff will be entitled to take a break of at least 20 minutes. Rest breaks must be taken during the period of work and should not be taken either at the start or the end of a period of working time. Employees should be able to take this rest break away from their work station.
Adverse Weather/Road Conditions: When external factors such as adverse weather/road conditions occur, employees will still have a duty to make every effort to attend work. Depending on the reasons given for late or non-attendance and each case’s particular merits, the absence could be treated as special paid or unpaid time off.
Occupational Health: The Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Service provides advice on all health, safety and wellbeing matters for staff of the Department of Health. The services provided include pre- employment health screening, health surveillance, medical and workplace assessments, plus advice and support for staff who have health problems which impact on their work.
Staff Welfare: The staff of DH has access to Welfare Services. This is a service, which provides confidential advise, support and counselling services on work and personal issues.
Policies to support DH employees: The Isle of Man Government and DH have many policies to protect and support staff through difficult times. These policies and strategies include, Drug and Alcohol, Equal Opportunities and Bullying, Harassment and Victimisation.
