Applying for Leave or Off
Work-Life Balance
We deeply value a harmonious work-life balance and encourage you to utilise your leave entitlements fully. However, in doing so, we request you to show consideration for the team and the operational needs of the school.
Basic Guidelines for Leave Application
Avoid Peak Periods: Kindly refrain from applying for leaves during peak periods or on days when the school organises events involving parents.
Staff Limit on Leave: On any given day, leave will be granted to a maximum of two staff members to ensure adequate staffing. Applications will generally be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Popular Leave Periods
During high-demand times such as the Chinese New Year and Christmas, the typical first-come, first-serve policy might be adjusted. In these scenarios, principals will grant leaves in a manner that ensures fairness, allowing different staff members to take leave in different years.
Leave Application Notice Period
Long-Term Leave: For leaves extending beyond a week, please apply at least 2 months in advance.
Regular Leave: Kindly submit your leave application at least 2 weeks in advance.
Emergency Leave: In unforeseen situations, notify at least 2 hours before your work shift.
Defining Emergency Leaves
Emergency leaves cater to unexpected and urgent scenarios such as:
Family Emergencies: Situations where a close family member encounters severe health issues requiring immediate attention or in the event of a death.
Urgent Medical Appointments: When a staff member has a sudden medical appointment that cannot be rescheduled.
Childcare Issues: In instances where regular childcare arrangements unexpectedly fall through.
Leave Notification
Once your leave has been approved, please update both your email and calendar. This helps colleagues know you’re unavailable for meetings or discussions during that time, and it informs external contacts that you will have delayed responses.
Google Calendar: Mark the dates of your leave on your Google Calendar so everyone can see your unavailability at a glance.
Email Autoresponder: Set an out-of-office message for the duration of your leave. You may use the template below.
Sample Autoresponder Template
Dear Sender,
Thank you for your email. I’m currently out of the office and will return on [Date]. During this period, I will have limited access to my email.
For urgent matters, please contact our [Title], [Name] at [Email].
I will address all other queries upon my return.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Conclusion
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these guidelines. This ensures smooth operations and upholds the standard of care and education we promise our students and their parents.
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