Remuneration
The leave is either paid or unpaid (= salary + certain allowances), depending on the interest.
- Paid leave in the interests of the employees’ work
Special leave is generally unpaid, unless it is in the interests of the employees’ work, in which case payment is justified. For example, this would be the case if you conduct part of a VU Amsterdam research project at a foreign university.
- Unpaid leave where a personal interest is involved
Any leave that is solely in your own interests will be unpaid.
- Partially paid
If the leave is partially in the interests of the university and partially in your personal interest, then partial payment may be agreed.
Holiday leave accrual
Holiday leave accrual continues during paid leave, but not during unpaid leave.
Pension accrual
In principle, pension accrual continues during periods of unpaid leave. Both the employee’s pension contributions and the employer’s pension contributions will be for the account of the employee if the period of leave exceeds fourteen consecutive calendar days.
Fringe benefits
Several schemes include details of how fringe benefits are affected by leave. Further information can be found under the schemes in question.
Commuting allowance
Article 2.4 of the Commuting allowance scheme stipulates that the payment of travel expenses will terminate if leave is taken for longer than six weeks. In the case of part-time leave, the level of compensation will be determined on the basis of the number of days worked.
Trade union contribution
Payment of the trade union contribution is terminated during unpaid leave, except in the case of part-time leave and provided that sufficient gross salary remains for this purpose.
Individual choices model
The regulations for the Individual choices model state that, in the case of unpaid leave and partially paid leave, more holiday leave may be used than accrued. If this is the case the difference will be offset. Employees who have obtained extra leave through their participation in the Individual choices model may be unable to make use of this leave because they have taken unpaid leave or partially paid leave. The scheme provides for cases like this by allowing the employees to convert this leave into money.
Unpaid leave and social security
During the period of unpaid leave, employees are not entitled to social security benefits, with the exception of an unemployment benefit in the event that their employment is terminated by their employer. If the leave lasts less than 18 months, these rights will come into effect again from the first official working day after the period of leave. This means the leave will continue if an employee becomes ill while on unpaid leave. The first official working day will then formally be seen as the first day of sickness leave.
Requesting additional special leave
You can request the additional special leave from your manager. The director decides whether to grant the leave and whether it will be paid or unpaid leave. If your request is approved, you can complete and submit the ‘Special leave’ form, which must be signed by yourself, your manager and the HR Advisor. You can find the form under the blue ‘Take action now’ button on this page.