ESB ElectricMail > Archives

ESB Management and Trade Union officials at the official launch of new initiative called Life Balance time. Pictured front row (l-r) is Bob Yates (TEEU), Freida Murray (Equal Opportunities Manager), John Campion, Executive Director Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, Siobhan Brown (ESBOA) and Tony Merriman (SIPTU). Back row (l-r) is Niall O'Connor (Equal Opportunities Office), John O'Neill, Brendan Ogle (ATGWU), Fran O'Neill (ESBOA) and John Ryder (ATGWU)/



		New Life Balance Time Initiative launched! Life Balance Time is the latest flexible working arrangement to be introduced in ESB. John Campion, Executive Director, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs formally launched it, on Monday 27th March 2006. The introduction of Life Balance Time enhances the existing range of flexible working arrangements that are available. It demonstrates ESB's commitment and belief in the importance of Life Work Balance, and it has a wider spread in appeal and not as restrictive as Term Time working. Life Balance Time is a facility which will allow staff with three or more years' service to avail of a continuous period of special leave without pay ranging from 6 to 20 weeks. Salary and leave entitlement will be reduced pro rata for the period of the leave. Life Balance Time is voluntary on both sides and operational criteria must be agreed before leave can be taken but the underlying principle is that it cannot adversely impact the efficiency of ESB business. The purpose of Life Balance Time is to facilitate an employee to achieve a better life work balance. Life Balance Time can be taken to facilitate a wide range of needs including personal development, education, travel, childcare, eldercare or time-out, etc. It is also an ideal way to prepare for retirement or to visit that son or daughter living in Australia. There is an element of planning required for the scheme to work successfully. But the advantage of Life Balance time is that it is possible to have the salary adjusted in order that the person availing of the leave will receive a payment while absent from work. For example, if you decide and are approved to take 3 months off next year, you can arrange with your local payroll office (before the 30th November) to have your 9 months' salary spread over the twelve months Anyone seeking to avail of it this year must make an application to their Manager by 19th May 2006. Further details available from Intranet site, Equal Opportunities Office (internal ext. 26705 / direct dial 01 7026705), or Shared Services (internal ext. 27746 or direct dial 7027746).		ESB Management and Trade Union officials at the official launch of new initiative called Life Balance time. Pictured front row (l-r) is Bob Yates (TEEU), Freida Murray (Equal Opportunities Manager), John Campion, Executive Director Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, Siobhan Brown (ESBOA) and Tony Merriman (SIPTU). Back row (l-r) is Niall O'Connor (Equal Opportunities Office), John O'Neill, Brendan Ogle (ATGWU), Fran O'Neill (ESBOA) and John Ryder (ATGWU)/