It would have been good to have a sense of being on the radar even as rotating junior doctor; information on which department I could take KIT days…
Line manager didn’t know how to pay me for KIT days so I ended up doing two unpaid.
How do you actually claim for kit days.
Read more on our Real Voices: Staff Experiences page.
What is expected of managers?
Managers should:
- Support your employee’s request for a KIT day where possible as they can add value and help prepare and support your employee for an easier return to work.
- Have an open and supportive conversation with the employee about what they want from KIT days.
- Make sure the work offered is meaningful and appropriate.
- Managers must carry out a risk assessment for any breastfeeding employee and breastfeeding facilities must be provided.
- Keep workloads light and manageable.
- Check in with the employee during the day.
- Ensure the employee is paid correctly for any KIT days worked and seek help from payroll if unsure.
- Log KIT days accurately on payroll.
- Ensure that arrangements are in place for them to receive the time back in lieu they’re entitled to once they return to work.
- Be flexible where possible, recognising that childcare, feeding, and recovery may impact availability.
- Support their confidence about returning to work.
Good practice to support employees
- Agree KIT day plans in advance.
- Check in on the employee’s comfort and needs during the day.
- Avoid overwhelming them with large workloads or major updates – share updates gradually, not all at once.
- Use the opportunity to support a smoother, more confident return to work.
- If declining a KIT day, you must have a valid reason, explaining the reasons for doing so clearly to your employee and ensuring that alternative solutions have been explored. If in doubt, please seek advice from HR.
- Be supportive, flexible and understanding if a KIT day is cancelled. Childcare, feeding and other demands may impact availability.
How is pay or days in lieu recorded for KIT days?
- KIT Days worked should be uploaded to eESS.
- If a KIT day is worked in the full pay period, your employee will receive a day of paid leave in lieu once they have returned to work.
- If a KIT day is worked on a day of leave in the half-pay period, your employee will receive a half day of paid leave in lieu once they have returned to work.
- If a KIT Day is worked after the full pay and half day period, your employee will receive a full day of paid leave. This should be processed on eESS as soon as possible so your employee is paid within the next pay period.
