WEST Dunbartonshire Council will soon have an official policy for any employees who wish to take a career break.

The local authority say they are committed to providing the opportunity for staff to achieve a positive work life balance through more effective and productive ways of working.

Previously, there has been no formal career break policy available to employees, but career breaks have been progressed informally through the relevant line management structure.

However, a new policy has been developed and councillors will be asked to approve the draft document at the next meeting of the authority’s corporate services committee today (Wednesday).

The council says the aim of the policy is to retain existing employees whose personal circumstances deem it necessary for them to take a break from work, meaning valuable skills and experience will be retained while also avoiding unnecessary recruitment.

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If an employee wishes to take a career break, it will be a period of approved unpaid leave, from six months to two years, and staff members must have worked with the council continuously for at least two years.

The draft policy states: “All applications for career breaks will be considered on their own merits, taking into consideration the exigencies of the service.”