Could anyone tell me where the guidance for taking an extended leave of absence or sabbatical is?
Many thanks
It’s called going NEP, up to 6 months of time off. It will be in ACP 20
Thank you - NEP?
Non effective personnel, or something along those lines
I disgree with going NEP - as it’s technically a deferred resignation of commission - I have no intention of resigning, and every intention of coming back!
You doing it Redowling or Racing Stick?
Non Effective Pool. You don’t have to resign at the end of it, but it is used as it. Lots of people use it when they have other things come up in life that they need to deal with, like moving homes, changing jobs etc.
No it isn’t. It’s effectively ‘parking’ your commitment for a short period, whilst you sort things out, such as new job, house move etc, with every intent of coming back. OK, quite a few people do eventually resign from NEP, but that’s only because their circumstances don’t allow them to resume service within the prescribed timescales.
I had intended to do it when I went travelling last year, in the end I was told not to bother and just tell people I wasn’t going to be around for a few months.
I’ll be honest, I haven’t seen many people come out of the Pool. It’s almost a one-way ticket.
No it isn’t. [/quote]
Actually, yes it is (though not just for commission)
For individuals voluntarily entering the NEP, if by the end of their NEP period (3-12 months) a person fails to return to duty they are considered to have resigned with effect from the date they entered the NEP.
PI-111 refers
Also, shorter LOA’s can be authorised (without formally going NEP) by WingCo - I belive up to 3 months.
This has the advantage of you still being able to attend weekend activities etc (if you wanted to that is) whereas if you are NEP you shouldnt attend/do anything.
Also going NEP also causes delays for promotion eligability and CFM.
No it isn’t. [/quote]
Actually, yes it is (though not just for commission)
For individuals voluntarily entering the NEP, if by the end of their NEP period (3-12 months) a person fails to return to duty they are considered to have resigned with effect from the date they entered the NEP.
PI-111 refers[/quote]
Ultimately, a deferred resignation COULD be the outcome, but that’s NOT the purpose of the NEP. Individuals do not enter the NEP with either the intent that they will resign at the end of the period or that they will be forced to go. It is as the opening lines of PI 111 infer, a period for people to sort their life out.
My understanding of the way earlier posts were worded was that Redowling suggested that the NEP is intended as a deferred resignation, which it isn’t and always ends up with that outcome, which it doesn’t. The intent is very much that the individual will return to service and we should not be suggesting that it’s designed for anything else.
I think that many use NEP as a vehicle to get out of a sqn without upsetting too many people, as many that do come back move elsewhere. I saw a sqn cdr do this (12 months NEP) when his first child was born and then go to another sqn as sqn officer on his return. He never gave the impression of being entirely happy as a sqn cdr.
There are those who use NEP to get out altogether, why they don’t just resign is a mystery.
No it isn’t. [/quote]
Actually, yes it is (though not just for commission)
For individuals voluntarily entering the NEP, if by the end of their NEP period (3-12 months) a person fails to return to duty they are considered to have resigned with effect from the date they entered the NEP.
PI-111 refers[/quote]
Ultimately, a deferred resignation COULD be the outcome, but that’s NOT the purpose of the NEP. Individuals do not enter the NEP with either the intent that they will resign at the end of the period or that they will be forced to go. It is as the opening lines of PI 111 infer, a period for people to sort their life out.
My understanding of the way earlier posts were worded was that Redowling suggested that the NEP is intended as a deferred resignation, which it isn’t and always ends up with that outcome, which it doesn’t. The intent is very much that the individual will return to service and we should not be suggesting that it’s designed for anything else.[/quote]
The problem with going in the pool is that, as Perry says, you can’t attend squadron for 3 months. Which makes it very difficult to get back in to the habit. It would be more rehabilitative if you could have the option of attending on a limited basis.
I went NEP for very legitimate reasons and came back successfully and my ‘career’ has not suffered - its not a big deal but it is seen as a really negative thing and a ‘one way ticket’ in the wider organisation. Sometimes, life gets in the way and you have to take a step back…
My experience of the NEP is a very poor one, and let this be a lesson learned!
For starter’s I was a squadron OC and became ill, slipped disc re-occurrence from 5 years previous.
I was told I had no other choice but to go into the NEP (Non-Effective Pool), this after a discussion with my Wing staff stating that I was struggling a bit and would not be able to attend squadron on a regular basis!
I duly placed my No.2 in charge and was side lined by the death of my late grandmother, effectively having already, as I was told, had some time off! Which was partly true, as at this stage I was not attending squadron, just emails and phone calls.
Any way having duly received the paperwork, one single sheet and being told by OC Wing to ignore the “deferred resignation bit” I signed and sent off my 1250 with it.
Having been in the mean time removed from squadron as OC by the order of OC Wing, something that I am not happy about even now!
Being in the NEP means you are not allowed to attend anything nor do you get to talk to people that much. You become isolated and policies change and you no longer get any information on anything, because you are now outside the main loop.
Having tried a few times to get out of the NEP I finally managed in November last year, with a note from my GP stating that I was fit enough to do some tasks, but now have a disability, I have to live with!
Whilst admittedly I can’t do everything (outdoor qualified for 25 years plus as a Gold assessor, with Both summer and Winter ML) I can at least teach and could run a squadron, but seems my extension will now not be extended!
Having read the full document, para 1 gives you three criteria, illness is not one of them. So NEP is being used for something for which it was not designed. I was ill, always intended coming and do not want to leave.
If you do not come out after 6 or 12 months then it is AUTOMATIC resignation in full from the ACO.
Write to your Wg Cmdr asking for clarification. If not follow the grievance procedure in ACP20. Ultimately no one can force you to go NEP, but as a uniformed staff member you need to do 12 hours a month “on duty”, or else they can remove you.
It sounds like you’ve had a bum deal, but don’t forget this is a public forum and people you might not tell this to in real life can read it. Just be careful.