Employment break scheme

35.1 Please refer to the Departments’ Career Break Policy available on the Intranet.

35.2 Department of Health and Department of Social Care should provide all staff with access to an employment break scheme.

35.3 The scheme should be agreed between employers and local staff representatives.

35.4 The scheme should be viewed with other sections in this Handbook, particularly those relating to flexible working, balancing work and personal life, and provisions for carers, as part of the commitment to arrangements that enable employees to balance paid work with their other commitments and responsibilities.

35.5 The scheme should also enable employers to attract and retain the experience of staff consistent with the commitment to the provision of high-quality healthcare.

35.6 The scheme should provide for people to take a longer period away from work than that provided for by the parental leave and other leave arrangements.