New directive puts leave in the balance

MEMBERS wishing to carry over their annual leave entitlement may now need to gain approval from the CAF as part of a new leave directive.

Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd has directed that individual’s leave balances are not to exceed 20 days by July 1 each year, in order for member’s personal and family commitments to be balanced with the current high operational tempo.

“Failure of members to take their full leave entitlement can be detrimental to personal health and wellbeing, and may adversely affect operational capability and sustainment,” says Air Marshal Shepherd.

“I expect individuals to take primary responsibility for the management of their personal leave balances, and secondly, commanders and supervisors are to manage leave balances within their units/squadrons and encourage members to utilise their leave.

“Adherence to this Directive will ensure respite from operations and will help maintain the Air Force leave liability at a manageable level.”

Members who will have in excess of 20 days annual leave at the end of each leave year (June 30) are to submit a leave plan to their commander by May 31, demonstrating their intention to reduce their leave balance to 20 days or less before the end of the following leave year. They must then submit an application to their commander.

Approval may be granted in circumstances including long training courses or extraordinary compassionate or medical grounds, but work commitments or work pressures are not valid reasons for exemption.

Applications to maintain a leave balance in excess of 40 days are to be forwarded by the member’s commander to CAF, through DGPERS-AF, for consideration by June 30 each year.

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