Unpaid leave to travel to Australia? contract in semistate till Jan; only 5 days AL

Hi,

I am currently working in a semi-state, on contract until end of next year.

I am planning a trip to Australia at the end of next month (Nov)

The thing is I only have 5 days annual leave at moment left, and the opportunity to work up another 3 days on flexi!

So I was wondering what would my options be if I wanted to take 3 weeks for my trip? Could I approach them and ask for a week or two unpaid leave?

Or is there other options?

Advice would be much appreciated!

Re: Unpaid leave question

Is it a commercial semi state like ESB, Bord na Mona, Bord Gas or a "non commercial" public service semi state like Fás etc?

Public Service T&C's pertain to the latter and the former have their own HR policies for recruitment, T&C's etc.

Re: Unpaid leave to travel to Australia? contract in semistate till Jan; only 5 days

I guess you can always ask, but dont be surprised if they say no. Who would cover your work?

Re: Unpaid leave to travel to Australia? contract in semistate till Jan; only 5 days

Its a commercial semi state so they probably do have their own policies....will have to check them out during the week.
I suppose it is worth asking anyway?

Re: Unpaid leave to travel to Australia? contract in semistate till Jan; only 5 days

I'm not sure if the following applies to your organisation but the term time provisions that were in previously have now been extended to all staff (ie you don't need to have a kid in school) in the form of the shorter working year scheme, so you could take 2 weeks unpaid leave which is the minimum under the scheme see here
http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/circulars/circular2009/circ142009.pdf
even if it doesn't officially apply to your organisation it may help in persuading your HR people.