Associate Handbook 2018

If Associates do not give enough notice, the Company may postpone their return date until 4 weeks (or 8 weeks as appropriate) after they gave notice, or to the Expected Return Date if sooner.

Returning late

If Associates wish to return later than the Expected Return Date, they should either:

 request unpaid parental leave in accordance with the parental leave policy, giving the Company as much notice as possible but not less than 21 days; or

 request paid annual leave in accordance with their contract, which will be at the Companies discretion.

If Associates are unable to return to work due to sickness or injury, this will be treated as sickness absence and the Company’s usual sickness policy will apply.

In any other case, late return will be treated as unauthorised absence.

Deciding not to return

If Associates do not intend to return to work, or are unsure, it is helpful if they discuss this with the Company as early as possible. If Associates decide not to return they should give notice of resignation in accordance with their contract. The amount of adoption leave left to run when they give notice must be at least equal to their contractual notice period otherwise the Company may require them to return to work for the remainder of the notice period.

Once Associates have given notice that they will not be returning to work, they cannot change their mind without the Company’s agreement.

This does not affect Associates right to receive SAP.

Associates rights when they return

Associates are normally entitled to return to work in the same position as they held before commencing leave. Terms of employment shall be the same as they would have been if the Associate had not been absent.

Working part-time after adoption leave

The Company will deal with any requests by Associates to change their working patterns (such as working part time) after adoption leave on a case-by-case basis. There is no absolute right to insist on working part time, but Associates do have a statutory right to request flexible working and the Company will try to accommodate their wishes unless there is a justifiable reason for refusal, bearing in mind the needs of the business. It is helpful if requests are made as early as possible. The procedure for making and dealing with such requests is set out in the Company’s flexible working policy.

Shared Parental Leave

Shared parental leave is a form of leave available to working parents following the adoption of a child. It applies in respect of children who are expected to be placed for adoption on or after 5 April 2015.