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Equal Opportunities, Career Break FAQ's
The objectives of the career break scheme are to provide new job opportunities in the NEELB and facilitate employees who wish to take a period of unpaid leave.
For what purpose will a career break be allowed?
A career break may be allowed for most purposes including further education, domestic responsibilities, starting a business, maintaining a joint business or a stay abroad.
A career break may be allowed for most purposes including further education, domestic responsibilities, starting a business, maintaining a joint business or a stay abroad.
When is it not allowed?
A Career Break is not normally allowed for the purpose of taking up alternative salaried or wage earning employment in Northern Ireland (within schedule E for income tax assessment). Only in exceptional cases, where prior written approval of the Board has been obtained, may an employee work for another employer. An example of exceptional circumstances would be where an officer requests a Career Break for the purpose of pursuing full time education and needs to fund this with part time work.
A Career Break is not normally allowed for the purpose of taking up alternative salaried or wage earning employment in Northern Ireland (within schedule E for income tax assessment). Only in exceptional cases, where prior written approval of the Board has been obtained, may an employee work for another employer. An example of exceptional circumstances would be where an officer requests a Career Break for the purpose of pursuing full time education and needs to fund this with part time work.
Who is eligible?
All permanent staff who have satisfactorily completed their probation and who have not reached minimum retiring age, may apply for a Career Break. The duration of the break may not extend beyond retiring age, if the career break is refused there is normal right of appeal.
All permanent staff who have satisfactorily completed their probation and who have not reached minimum retiring age, may apply for a Career Break. The duration of the break may not extend beyond retiring age, if the career break is refused there is normal right of appeal.
What is the maximum/minimum duration of a career break?
The duration is not less than one year up to a maximum of three years. A career break can be extended twice for a period of not less than one year on each occasion provided total period of special leave does not extend three years.
The duration is not less than one year up to a maximum of three years. A career break can be extended twice for a period of not less than one year on each occasion provided total period of special leave does not extend three years.
When should application be made?
Applications should be made three months in advance to the Officers Head of Department through the immediate supervisor. An application form may be obtained from the Equal Opportunities Unit in County Hall.
Applications should be made three months in advance to the Officers Head of Department through the immediate supervisor. An application form may be obtained from the Equal Opportunities Unit in County Hall.
Am I entitled to social security benefits while on career break?
It is responsibility of the individual officers on career breaks to contact their local social security office to determine their eligibility for benefits and to check position regarding national insurance contributions.
It is responsibility of the individual officers on career breaks to contact their local social security office to determine their eligibility for benefits and to check position regarding national insurance contributions.
An officer on unpaid leave of absence must pay contributions for the first 30 days of the absence. On return from a Career Break the officer may elect to make additional payments in order to avoid a break in contributions.
Related Documents
The objectives of the career break scheme are to provide new job opportunities in the North Eastern Education and Library Board and facilitate employees who wish to take a career break.
This Scheme has been developed by the Employing Authorities, in consultation with the recognised Teachers' Unions, to create flexibility in employment in the Education Service, consistent with good employment practice, by providing teachers with the facility of taking a break in their teaching careers.
