Leave
We all need to take leave (time off work) to be healthy and pursue Animal Freedom for the long haul. We trust you to manage your leave, and we trust that you'll balance your personal needs with ATT's needs.
You might take leave for things like: mental/physical health and wellbeing; rest; recovery; leisure; adventure; creativity; processing personal matters; and processing grief and/or bereavement (including loss of animal loved ones). This list is a starting point only.
General Guidelines
Be proactive against burnout. People are more likely to overwork than underwork. Take leave from time to time to take care of yourself, and so you can work for Animal Freedom sustainably and effectively.
Consider organisational impact. Consider how taking leave may impact your work and ATT's work. Do your best to consult others who may be impacted, including your Circle Lead, and consider their perspectives before scheduling your leave.
We don't have a “standard leave allowance”. We trust you to assess your own needs, and those of ATT, and decide your own “right amount” of leave. However we encourage members to not swerve too far from the 28 day national standard
Unconventional working patterns are welcome here. For example, if one day you felt too tired to focus, you might go home early. We encourage this sort of thing! Just keep in mind how it could sometimes impact others.
Self-regulate. For example, you could track your leave days, review them with others and adjust your patterns if appropriate. Note that time off will look different for everyone. We're all different, we do different work and we have different needs.
Record your leave. If you don't record your leave you wont know whether you're taking too much or too little leave. Whilst we don't have a 'standard leave allowance' its wise to keep track you that you can see whether you're wavering too far from the norm.
If you're choosing to taking extended leave
At some point, you might want to make a conscious or pre-planned choice to take extended leave (60 or more days). For instance this could be for an extended break, due to pregnancy or parental responsibilities, or to go on sabbatical. If you're considering this we ask that you:
Craft your arrangement collaboratively. Take into account your needs alongside those of your fellow members and ATT. Could you reasonably alter aspects of your leave (e.g. timing, duration, ongoing support) to better meet the organisation's needs?
Prepare in advance. How will your roles' responsibilities get done once you take leave? What support do you need to fulfil your remaining important commitments?
Get clear with others. How long do you intend to be away? How likely are you to return to ATT? Do you want to permanently vacate your role(s) or do you hope to fill them again when you return? Establish common expectations and agreements with relevant people early. The transition will then be easier for everyone.
If you're taking leave due to special circumstances
At times, you may need to take extended leave (60 or more days) due to special circumstances such as: mental/physical illness or injury; hospitalisation; caring for loved ones; pregnancy; parental responsibilities; imprisonment; and so on. This list is a starting point only.
If you or a loved one express a need for ongoing financial, interpersonal or other support from ATT due to the special circumstances, ATT will convene a care council. The care council will consist of individuals with knowledge and expertise relevant to the scenario, and will be tasked with driving ATT’s response to the scenario in a timely manner.
The care council will consider factors including:
Compassion, as well as your needs and/or those of your loved one(s)
Your relationship with ATT (including commitment and involvement)
Resources and capacity available within ATT
Resources available externally to ATT
In general, when you have significantly committed yourself to ATT, and you and/or your loved one(s) can't get support through other means due to the special circumstances, then ATT will strive, within its means, to provide support until you and/or your loved one(s) can access the necessary resources from elsewhere.
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