Civil Service Branch
Civil Service Consultation Document
Civil Service Terms of Appointment & Conditions of Service
leave, leave
circumstances. Our proposals in regard to the main conditions of service travel, housing and education assistance - are set out in the ensuing paragraphs as a basis for discussion.
3.6
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In drawing up these proposals, no attempt has been made to introduce any additional conditions of service rather, the aim has been to rationalize existing conditions. For ease of reference, the significant differences between current overseas and local conditions of service are tabulated in Annex D, and the proposed new conditions which would apply to all officers employed in future on P&P or agreement terms are at Annex E. Where changes are not proposed, the existing rules would, in general, continue to apply (although this does not, of course, preclude future changes where circumstances exist to justify them).
Leave
Rationale
3.7
The purpose of leave is to provide for a period of relaxation and recuperation from the pressure of work. Due to historical reasons, overseas officers enjoy longer leave to allow time for the journey home and for the renewal of home/social ties in their country of origin. The justification for additional leave for overseas officers has diminished over time as international travel and communications become more common and convenient.
3.8
On grounds of parity, local officers at Directorate level 4 (D4) and above are currently granted an "overseas addition" to bring their leave entitlement to the same level as overseas officers. As a corollary to the removal of additional leave for overseas officers, the "overseas addition", as well as the "forfeiture rule" (Note 1), should also be abolished, thereby allowing full flexibility as to where leave should be spent, in Hong Kong or
overseas.
3.9
At present, all leave earning rates are expressed in calendar days but in many cases, where the leave taken is 12 days or less, leave deduction is on a working day basis. For all officers other than those who take "annual leave" (Note 2), the leave earning rates represent the number of days of leave earned for every 365 days of service rendered (i.e. leave is outside a year). For those who take "annual leave", the leave earning rates represent the number of days of leave which may be taken within a year. To simplify the administration of leave, it is proposed to standardize and express all leave earning rates in working days within a year.
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