William Eichler 02 November 2017

Council staff told to take mandatory unpaid leave

Northamptonshire County Council has told its staff they must take a day’s mandatory unpaid leave as part of an effort to save £2m a month.

The council, which employs 3,000 people, first proposed the measure last month but has now confirmed they will go ahead with the move.

‘It is no secret that the county council is facing a financial challenge — a fact compounded by an inadequate funding settlement from central Government,’ said a spokesperson for the council.

‘Last month staff were told that one day mandatory unpaid leave was being considered and now the management team has reluctantly had to accept this needs to be done.

‘Unpaid leave will need to be taken by staff by the end of the financial year with pay being taken out over a two month period, with the possibility of this being over three months.’

The spokesperson emphasised this would not affect staff on the lowest pay grade.

Responding to the news, Mark Irvine, regional organiser for the public sector union Unison, said: ‘Staff are already demoralised by the cuts the council have announced and this will only distress them more. It will make it even harder for the council to retain and recruit staff.

‘The amount that will be saved by this proposal, £330,000, is 2% of the total the council need to balance the books. There are other ways to make this saving that will not impact on already overworked and staff.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Tea Time Club Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro-rata
Tea Time Club Assistant  Grade 1 £24,027 pro-rata Permanent 10 hours per week Required from September 2025 Would you like to work with a group of won Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Licensing Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 £28,598
The Community Protection Service is looking for 2 Licensing Assistants to join the Business Compliance Team    1 x Temporary for 1 year 1 x Temporary Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Supervisor

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Lunchtime Supervisor  Required from 1st September 2025 Grade 1    £24,027 pro rata Permanent We are seeking to appoint a Lunchtime Supervisor to join Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Child Protection Chair (Registered Social Worker)

North East Lincolnshire Council
Up to £48,710 dependent upon experience
We are seeking an Child Protection Chair who is a registered qualified and experienced Social Worker. North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Organisation and Service Designer

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC34 £43,693
If you’re someone who can blend creative storytelling to inspire customers, staff and leaders North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council
Linkedin Banner