Case Study – Inclusion of Period Under Sheltered Placement in Calculation of Annual Leave Allowance

The NI Court Service increased annual leave allowances as part of its last pay settlement, adding an extra five days annual leave to Administrative and Executive Officers who had completed more than 16 years service by 1 February 2008.

An Administrative Officer who commenced permanent employment with the NI Court Service in May 1993 enquired whether she was entitled to the increased allowance. Although she had completed only 14 years 9 months service as a permanent employee, she had also worked on a Casual basis for ten months prior to her permanent appointment. In addition to this she had worked for the Court Service under the Sheltered Placement Scheme for an additional ten months.

The Court Service has decided to take into consideration the period of her employment under the Sheltered Placement Scheme when calculating her entitlement to annual leave and therefore she has been awarded the extra five days with effect from 1 February 2008.