The HR Newsletter - Leave and Pension

INSIDE THIS ISSUE LEAVE P 2-7 Types of Leave Leave FAQ With Miss Drysdale PENSION P 8-9 What is Pension? What You Need To Know UNIT SPOTLIGHT: THE P 10-12 ENVIRONMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT BRANCH HIGHLIGHTS: LEAVE P 13 SENSITIZATION P 14 SESSIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH: SKIN CARE MISS TAMEISHA MISS DRYSDALE IS THE HR DRYSDALE, OFFICER WITH RESPONSIBILITY HR OFFICER FOR LEAVE AND PENSION

2 LEAVE Leave is any absence from service. Sick Leave Chapter 7 of the Staff Orders speaks to the topic in great detail. This is is any period of absence from There are different types of Leave: duty on the ground of ill health. Departmental Leave This is a provision whereby public Sick leave may be taken in short officers may be granted short periods or for more extended periods, periods of absence to attend to depending on the nature of the personal or family matters. illness. Employees wishing to take These periods must be supported by Departmental Leave should, under a medical certificate signed by a duly normal circumstances, make a registered medical practitioner. The formal application in writing or by certificate should be submitted completing a form prescribed for within five (5) working days from the such purposes, at least forty-eight first day of absence and should cover (48) hours before the leave is to the entire period of absence. begin. Special Sick Leave Note: Should the illness of an employee Departmental Leave is not necessitate a continuous absence intended to be used for vacation such that all accumulated sick leave purposes or in lieu of vacation and departmental leave plus fifty leave. percent (50%) of vacation leave have The granting is at the discretion of been exhausted, the Permanent the Permanent Secretary or Head Secretary or Head of Department of Department, subject to the may grant the employee special sick exigencies of the service. leave on the advice of the appropriate medical authority.

3 An employee on vacation leave who wishes to have his/her leave Vacation Leave extended must apply in writing in sufficient time for a reply to be Vacation leave is a period of received before the current period scheduled absence on full salary for of leave expires. the purpose of recreation and/or rejuvenation. Officers are required to report in writing their resumption of duty to While employees are entitled to the appropriate authority following vacation leave as set out in the the expiration of vacation leave. schedule, the granting of such leave is at the discretion of the Permanent Secretary or Head of Department, subject to the exigencies of the service. Employees wishing to take vacation leave must make a formal application either in writing or by completing a form prescribed for that purpose, at least one (1) month before the date on which the leave is to begin. Leave rates were revised effective January 1, 2002 as a part of the Public Sector transformation as follows:

4 Officers employed before January 1, 2002 earn leave at the earlier rates. Officers who were employed after January 1, 2002 earn leave at the new rates. No-Pay Leave Recalled Leave Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Any leave granted may be Departments may grant no-pay cancelled by the Permanent leave up to a maximum of one Secretary or Head of Department hundred and eighty (180) days in based on the exigencies of the any one calendar year to employees service. on the ground of urgent private affairs. Where an employee’s leave is cancelled, the remaining portion All requests for no-pay leave is considered Recalled Leave and should, be supported by is treated separately. documentary evidence and should, in the case of urgent private affairs, Recalled Leave shall not be be submitted in time for the matter counted in the calculation of the to be examined and approval maximum leave the employee granted before the officer proceeds may accumulate. on leave. Recalled Leave may be taken at the employee’s convenience, subject to the exigencies of the service, or it may be included in the preretirement leave to which the employee may be entitled. Casual Leave Casual Leave may be granted to part-time workers and employees who are on Fixed Term Appointments in positions, which are not on the Public Service Establishment.

5 Study Leave Special Leave Study Leave is a period of absence Upon presentation of the relevant granted to public employees to documentary evidence, special pursue courses of study. leave on full salary shall be granted by a Permanent Secretary Recreational Leave or Head of Department in the following circumstances: Officers who have been granted study leave and who have had to Military Service forfeit vacation leave and/or salary National Representation may be granted a period of absence Jury Duties on full pay upon the successful completion of the course of study. Day Release Officers may be granted a combination of day release during the academic year and full time study leave during the summer period to attend to attend any approved tertiary institution. This will only be considered where evening classes are not available for the particular course. Maternity Leave Maternity Leave shall be granted to female employees on no more than three (3) occasions consistent with the provisions of The Maternity Leave Act (1979). Officers who have completed not less than twelve (12) months of continuous service may be granted leave for maternity purposes upon presentation of appropriate medical certification.

6 How do I earn leave in my first year of employment? FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WITH MS. DRYSDALE Leave  (all types) is earned on a pro- rated basis in the first year of Can my departmental leave run employment. consecutively with my vacation leave? Is my sick and departmental leave from the previous year brought Yes it can. The appropriate forward to the current year? documentation (proof) indicating that the period is needed for No. Unutilized sick and departmental urgent private affairs must be leave is only brought forward in the provided to support request. event of prolonged illness. This is only applicable to permanently I am employed on a contractual appointed employees basis, can I get no pay leave? When am I required to submit a No, contract officers are not entitled medical certificate? to the same privileges as permanently employed officers. The Absence form duties in excess of 3 period will be treated as a break in days on the basis of illness. the officer’s contract and said After vacation leave if initial contract will have to be renewed resumption date will not be upon the officer’s resumption to observed. duties. How long should I be employed in I am pregnant and wish to proceed order to qualify for study leave? on maternity leave before my due date. Is this possible? You should be appointed or employed for three (3) consecutive Yes. Maternity leave can be years. granted at twenty-eight (28) weeks. The appropriate medical certification must be provided. Can I proceed on vacation leave before I have completed twelve (12) months of consecutive service? Yes. In the event of ill-health or urgent private affairs. Must be clearly stated in cover letter accompanying vacation leave application. Please note that vacation leave must reach the HRM&D Branch at least one (1) month before the date on which the leave is to begin.

7 When I am seconded do I still have access to my vacation leave? How do I qualify for day release? No. your leave is frozen, upon You must be employed for one (1) appointment in the seconded entity year consecutive service. Please you will be paid for the leave to your note that day release is intended credit at the rate of your substantive for courses only offered on a day post. release basis. If I resign from the Public Service, If I proceed on a job mandatory what happens to my vacation course without forfeiting my leave? vacation leave, am I entitled to recreational leave at the end of my You will be paid for the leave to your course? credit at your substantive post. No. Recreational leave is only I want to apply for no pay leave to granted to officers who would have take care of my cousin living forfeited vacation leave to pursue overseas. Is this possible? their course of study. In this case you would need the Is no pay leave counted towards appropriate medical certification to your years of service? prove that your cousin is in fact ill as also documentary evidence to prove No. No pay leave is not counted that you are the only living relative towards your years of service with that is able to care for this cousin. The the except of study leave without staff order makes reference to death pay. or illness in the family, please note that “family” refers to spouse, What is compassionate leave? parents, children or siblings. There is no such leave. Officers seeking time off in instances of death or illness in the family must utilize their departmental or vacation leave to cover the period. What happens if I exhaust the number of sick and departmental leave allotted to me? The excess days will be recovered from your vacation leave. In the event that you have also exhausted your vacation leave, the days will be recovered from your salary.

8 PENSION \"A pension is an income system to be paid regularly to a person, typically following retirement from service. It is provided to people who have paid into a plan or who have paid into a plan or who have been granted pension benefits by an employer.\" The Pensions (Public Service) Act (2018) implemented on April 1, 2017 and can be accessed at japarliament.gov.jm. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Early Retirement is still an option Retirement from the public service for employees. is no longer at age 60. The normal retirement age will If workers take this option gradually increase to 65 years by their pension will be reduced one year each year with effect by 1% per year for each year from April 2016. they retire before the retirement age of 65. Vesting Period An officer must work for 10 years in order to become eligible for a pension.

9 This marks the end of the family benefits scheme. Officers no longer contribute to Family Benefits Scheme which was usually 4% of salary. This marks the end of the family benefits scheme. Officers will be required to contribute to Pensions at 5%. However, this will change gradually on a phased basis adding 1% each year.1%. Survivors Benefits Beneficiaries (a spouse or a child below the age of 18 years or a child below the age of 23 years in a tertiary institution) is eligible for a benefit in the event of death of the officer.

10 UNIT SPOTLIGHT: THE ENVIRONMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT BRANCH Ms. Joan Felix Ms. Nicole O'Reggio Director, Environment Director, Environment Policy Monitoring Policy Development & Monitoring Ms. Gillian Guthrie Senior Director, ERMB The Environment and Risk Ms. Joni Jackson Mrs. Carmalita Barnett- Management Branch oversees one of Director, Natural Phidd the Ministry’s seven critical portfolio Resources Executive Secretary areas – environment.  The ERMB’s mandate is the The Branch is responsible for the development of policies, legislation, protection and conservation of plans and programmes for effective Jamaica’s natural resources, the environmental management, reduction and prevention of pollution supported by well-developed and the integration of environmental research and database systems in considerations into national the area of environmental development polices and plans protection and conservation. towards the achievement of sustainable national development.

11 YEAP Session on Biodiversity at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School The ERMB is currently working on the following priority policies to 2018 YEAP Ambassador speaking about YEAP address environmental issues of concern to Jamaica: Dolphin Policy (Green Paper) Beach Access and Management Policy (draft) Integrated Coastal Resources Policy (draft) Cays Management Policy for Jamaica (draft) National Policy on Environmental Management Systems (Green Paper) National Policy on the Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous Wastes (Green Paper) Emissions Policy Framework (draft) ERMB Spotlight: Audience at the YEAP Session on Disaster Risk The Youth Environmental Advocacy Reduction at Buff Bay High School Programme (YEAP) YEAP exists to facilitate youth dialogue on environmental issues, and promote youth participation in environmental and sustainable development policy, plans and programmes in Jamaica. Students sponsored by the YEAP to attend the Discovery Bay Marine Lab’s Summer Eco Camp in 2017 AYlvEeArPnibaaHningehr at Mt. Montego Bay Marine Park booth at the YEAP Session on Waste Management at Mount Alvernia High School

12 Student attendees at the 2018 Biodiversity Conference ERMB Spotlight: The Biodiversity Conference Hon. Min. Vaz and Miss Gillian Guthrie at the Institute of Jamaica's Booth The Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation hosted Jamaica’s inaugural National Conference on Biodiversity on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The Conference was held under the theme “The Importance of Biodiversity to Sustainable Livelihoods and Well Being”, and commemorated the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to which Jamaica is a Party. The Ministry serves as Jamaica’s focal point for the Convention Students performing at the Conference Hope Zoo’s booth thAepesxtuxdpeenrtfosrming with Panel speaking at the Conference

13 HIGHLIGHTS: LEAVE SENSITIZATION SESSIONS

14 FOR YOUR HEALTH: SKIN CARE Moisturizers Moisturize daily. Black skin tends to be dry, often appearing ashy when overly dry. Dry Skin - lock in moisture with a thick lotion or ointment. Normal Skin - help hydrate with a cream that is usually thinner. Oily Skin - Water based products that are light and oil free. At a glance, skin care regimes can look TIPS: daunting; there are a ton of products, several steps and perfect skin seems Adjust your Diet completely unattainable anyway. But, Drink more water, have less sweets. ladies and gents, this mini-guide will give you the perfect place to begin your Exfoliate skin care journey. Exfoliate at least once weekly or three To start, there are three key components times a week if you have oily skin. This to a simple skin care routine: a cleanser, gets rid of the dead skin cells that a toner, and a moisturizer. build up over time and cause bumps. Cleansers Masks - Sheets, Tubs, Tubes Cleansing the skin removes dirt, All with different benefits, these can makeup, bacteria and build-up caused be used as a treat for your skin a by dead skin cells. It is recommended to couple times a week. do so in the morning and at night. Skin Care for is for Men Too Dry Skin - oil, cream or milk Don't be afraid to venture out and try cleanser something new - your skin will thank Oily Skin - foam or gel cleanser you. It is especially important to Toners moisturize areas you shave regularly. Toners regulate/control oil and maintain the skin’s pH balance - ideal Go Natural for optimum skin health. It also In choosing skin care products, opt for prepares the skin to be receptive to natural ingredients where possible. moisturizers and serums used after. The following are suitable for all skin Sun Screen types: Contrary to the myth, deeper skin Aloe Vera, Rose, Chamomile extract, tones need sun protection as well. Cucumber extract, Hyaluronic Acid. Protect your skin from the sun with a daily sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher

Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Prepared by the HRM&D Branch Issue Number 4, Published April 2019