GSP 24-26 Term Time 2027
04/November/2026
Description
I write to confirm the agreed arrangements with An Post to apply for Term Time 2027. Term Time will apply to parents of Children aged 13 or below.
- The maximum Term Time leave period will be 4 weeks.
- Management decisions will be made in consideration of the viability of approving this leave, where other forms of leave are sought immediately before or after this leave.
- Parental and other statutory leaves over Term Time will be prioritised.
- Replacement for Term Time cover will only be considered in frontline areas and areas with defined customer Service Level Agreements.
Although we have agreed the same as applied last year, the Group of Unions, following a review of Term Time for 2026, sought a number of changes to the criteria as outlined below.
- Increase the age limit from age 13
- Provide time off for parents whose children are undergoing either the Junior or Leaving Certificate
- Increase the maximum Term Time period from 4 weeks, particularly in areas where there is no cost
- Provide detailed costings to the Group of Unions
Regrettably, the company rejected all of these, primarily based on cost, but also the requirement to meet the business needs. The response by the company will be a major disappointment and will add to staff disgruntlement contained in the findings of the staff survey of the Company Inclusion Policy.
Neither do the Group of Unions accept the Company position in respect of cost, as we have not been provided with the full details associated with 2026. There is no doubt that in many instances staff recruited against term- time were used to cover other vacancies with the result that Term Time absences were covered on overtime.
Nonetheless, the Union accepts that the scheme, even in its limited version, remains beneficial to the reduced number that can avail of it. Therefore, we have decided to accept the arrangements for 2027 in its limited format with the following precondition i.e., the Company must supply detailed costings on an office-by-office basis.
The Company has confirmed that the notice will issue this week. The Term Time notice and link will be sent to employees via their Company email address, which has been provided to everyone. The notice will also be available on the An Post app. If any individual has an issue with the online application, they can contact the HR Helpdesk who will assist them in completing the online form. The Company will seek documentary evidence in all cases.
Branches are requested to be vigilant in ensuring that staff recruited to fill Term Time vacancies are used for that specific purpose. Any deviation from this should be raised in the first instance with the Local DSM and, if necessary, to the CWU Regional Officer.
In the meantime, the Union will continue to campaign to improve the Term Time offering to ensure that as many members as possible can avail of it.