Fox Kalomaski has introduced an extra day’s paid leave to be taken in December to help cope with increased demand for time off to have beauty treatments in the party season.
Stephen Fox, managing director of the marketing and advertising agency said: “We have unofficially called this day Botox leave, because that is what we have heard rumours that this is what people do with this day.”
The move marks an increasing trend for employers to grant time off for cosmetic treatments as an employee benefit. According to cosmetic surgery provider, The Harley Medical Group, an increasing number of businesses have introduced paid leave to ensure staff are not tempted to take a day off sick to get their beauty fix.
Liz Dale, director at The Harley Medical Group said; “We think ‘Botox leave’ is an interesting incentive to offer employees and have seen a number of patients who have been granted time away from the office for their injections.”
Recruitment firm, Blue Skies, said it is a clever move for employers to offer this incentive in the credit crunch.
A spokesman said: “In the current market, giving people time off for endeavours that suit their lifestyles can be a cost effective way of incentivising staff if budgets do not stretch to other more obvious benefits.”
However where there are serious medical reasons for opting for cosmetic surgery, employers can benefit from taking this approach to help manage absence. For example, Tameside Council has issued a draft policy which allows employees to take time off for procedures, such as cosmetic facial treatments and breast reconstruction surgery following cancer treatment. Where there is no underlying serious medical condition, staff have the option of buying extra holiday hours or making up time off in lieu.
Executive member for human resources, councillor Joe Kitchen said: “Tameside Council is a top performer nationally for the management of sickness absence. The guidance in question, which has not yet been implemented, is intended to help manage absences even more effectively by advising employees of the variety of packages available – such as annual leave and unpaid leave.”