Associate Handbook 2018

Public Duties

Reasonable paid absence of leave will be given to Associates to undertake public duties should they be required to be absent from work in this capacity, provided that there is no adverse impact upon their work performance.

If Associates are involved in any such public office service, including military service such as the Territorial Army, they must advise their Manager.

The Company reserves the right to refuse to agree a request if in its absolute discretion considers that it would be too disruptive to the business (either in terms of the proposed length of absence or the role of person requesting it).

Territorial Army/ Royal Naval Reserve

If Associates are a member of the Armed Forces Reserve and are required to undertake Reserve/Military training they may claim additional paid holiday, up to a maximum of five days in any one holiday year, to attend a block of training. Associates must inform their Manager in advance of the dates they are required to attend and provide the relevant service documentation to the Human Resources Division.

If the training exceeds five working days, Associates may take up to a further five days from their annual holiday entitlement.

6.12

Compassionate Leave

The Company will grant paid absence for emergency reasons such as a bereavement or serious illness in immediate family for up to five days in any twelve month period at the discretion of an Associate’s Manager and or Partner responsible for that Division.

6.13

Maternity Leave And Pay

All pregnant Associates have legal entitlements regardless of their length of service with the Company. These include reasonable paid time off for antenatal classes, and protection against unfair dismissal on maternity related grounds.

Maternity Benefits*

All pregnant Associates are encouraged to inform their Manager of their pregnancy as soon as possible and in any event no later than 15 weeks before the Expected Week of Confinement (EWC) so that the maternity leave entitlements and notification obligations may be discussed and any health or safety issues be addressed. The table below summarises the Company’s maternity benefits (Dependant on the Associate’s length of service at the 15th week before the EWC):