CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS

Question

Our PC website has just announced that they will be closing down from 19 December until 7 Jan.   I have no idea whether  this has been formally agreed but surely there must be some days within this period which are regarded as working days .

Does the SLCC issue any Christmas arrangements advising what days off over Christmas  should be taken as annual  leave .  I suspect that it is just accepted as  a freebie

Answer 1

Our clerk prepares a report with proposed Christmas closure and reopening dates which we vote on at our December meeting. This year our closure dates are the same as yours, which I think sound reasonable and are mainly as a function of Christmas being on a Wednesday and thus a bit awkward this year.

Answer 2

Why would you assume it is additional paid leave and not being deducted from the staff's annual leave allowance?

Comments

When  I was  a Councillor I attended one staffing Committee meeting in which it was made clear that the clerks leave was not being authorised  or a leave card maintained.  When I challenged this the Chair stated  that the clerk was to be  trusted to maintain her own leave records and that my challenge inferred that I did not trust her.  That and other issues led me to believe the clerk was not being properly managed so I resigned.  I merely point out that if the PC wishes to close down over Christmas that's fine but that  normally involves some Annual leave being taken . My experience has been that this can easily be overlooked !!

Answer 3

Our office closes on the 19th too and will reopen on the 2nd with only me in attendance.  The remaining staff will be returning the following Tuesday.  I have informed the council that this is the intention and as the staff are taking annual leave, I cannot see why the council should be getting involved.  I don't ask them to approve the arrangement as I am the line manager for my staff.

Major assumption on your part that it is a freebie - council staff are entitled to their holidays and are probably using their holiday entitlement, as would anyone.