Swansea UCU members have received a message (20/4/20) from Swansea University Registrar, Andrew Rhodes, which states: ‘It has been agreed with Trade Union colleagues that key principles will apply when booking annual leave.’

Although the Registrar’s message states that these principles were ‘agreed with Trade Union colleagues’, the Swansea UCU committee wishes to clarify that no agreement was reached on one of these principles, the one stating: “Where it is not reasonably practicable for an individual to take their leave, line managers can agree carry-over of up to 5 days in line with current process.’

As an alternative, the Committee proposed that the University take an approach in line with that set out by the government in the recent Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations. The Regulations, which apply to all organisations and all workers and not only those considered ‘essential’, provide that where it is not reasonably practicable for a worker to take the statutory holiday to which they are entitled, they have a right to ‘carry up to 4 weeks of statutory leave into the next 2 leave years’.

This was proposed as it was felt that limiting carry-over to 5 days would (i) seem unnecessary in the light of the flexibility which the Regulations are attempting to introduce (ii) allow workers to enjoy more effective periods of leave and (iii) provide acknowledgement that, due to the diverse nature of University work, a ‘one-size fits all’ approach was unlikely to be the most effective.  It would also, of course, demonstrate the University’s support for the ‘spirit’ of the government Regulation.

At a time when so many staff are working from home for the first time and experiencing a new way of working, in addition to the stresses resulting from health worries, closed schools and uncertainty over the future to name but a few, Swansea UCU felt sure that staff would approve of the suggested approach to time off.