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Volunteer Forces
The following guidance is provided for:
- managers of staff who are members of volunteer forces and
- staff who are members of volunteer forces
In specific cases, managers should consult their HR Business Partner.
Training
- Staff who are required to attend summer camps for training in any voluntary reserve of the Armed Forces may claim one paid week of leave. Any additional period should be taken from annual leave (see Conditions of Employment).
Mobilisation
- If you are a reservist who is mobilised, you should speak to your HR Business Partner at the earliest opportunity.
- The University will comply with its responsibilities under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985 in respect of staff who are reservists who are mobilised.
- The University will normally grant unpaid leave to staff who are reservists who are mobilised, but reserves the right to apply for exemption or deferral or revocation in appropriate circumstances.
- If unpaid leave is approved, this will be confirmed in writing by your HR Business Partner.
- During the period of unpaid leave, staff will not accrue annual leave.
- A College or Service which is considering apply for exemption or deferral or revocation of the mobilisation (on the grounds that “the Reservist's absence will cause serious harm to your business”) should consult with their HR Business Partner. Applications will be made by Human Resources.
- Further guidance is available from the SaBRE website.
Your pension during unpaid leave
- Under the rules of the USS pension scheme:
- unpaid leave for military service (classified as “absence due to work of national importance”) of up to one year does not require the agreement of USS but if the period is to be longer than this then agreement from USS will need to be obtained by the Pay and Benefits Manager in Human Resources.
- while you are on unpaid leave for military service, no employer or employee contributions will be made. However, on your return from leave, you can choose to pay back employee contributions for the period you have been on leave so that this period counts as pensionable service. If you choose to pay the employee contributions, the University will pay the employer contributions.
- while you are on unpaid leave for military service, you will continue to be covered in full for the benefits under USS and any benefits that become payable whilst you are away will be based on the pensionable salary you were earning before you commenced your leave and will be based on the pensionable service completed before leave commenced.
- For further information see USS factsheet 4 on the USS website.
- Under the rules of the ERBS pension scheme:
- the University must approve you remaining an active member of the scheme during your unpaid leave for military service. The ERBS trustee will be requested to agree to a continuation in full of the death in service benefits offered by the scheme at the commencement date of your absence. The Pay and Benefits Manager in Human Resources will be responsible for contacting the ERBS trustee.
- while you are on unpaid leave for military service, no employer or employee contributions will be made and the period of absence will not count as pensionable service. However, alternative arrangements can be agreed with the University whereby contributions are made so that this period counts as pensionable service - your College/Service should discuss this with the Pay and Benefits Manager in Human Resources.
- Under the rules of the NHS pension scheme:
- if an employee is called up for active service, they will be regarded as being on authorised leave of absence and the period of absence will count as pensionable service.
- For the duration of their call-out, employer and employee contributions will paid on the level of remuneration in payment immediately prior to call-out.
- The University will reclaim the employer contributions from the Ministry of Defence. It is also possible for the Ministry of Defence to arrange for the employee's contributions to be deducted from their salary and reimbursed to the University.
- For more information, refer to the NHSPS leaflet for Reservists.
