Does the UN Have a Vacation Department?

By Michael Ferguson

The United Nations is a global organization dedicated to promoting peace, security, and cooperation among nations. It is a diverse organization that employs people from all over the world. With such a large workforce, it’s understandable to wonder if the UN has a vacation department.

Does the UN have a vacation department?

The short answer is no. The United Nations does not have a dedicated vacation department. However, this does not mean that UN employees do not get vacation time.

Under the UN Staff Regulations and Rules, employees are entitled to annual leave based on their years of service. For example, staff members with less than five years of service are entitled to 30 working days of annual leave per year, while those with more than five years of service are entitled to 33 working days per year.

In addition to annual leave, staff members may also be entitled to home leave and special leave. Home leave is granted every two years and allows staff members to return to their home country for rest and recuperation. Special leave may be granted for personal or family reasons, such as illness or bereavement.

How do UN employees request vacation time?

UN employees request vacation time through an online system called Inspira. This system allows employees to submit requests for annual leave, home leave, and special leave. The requests are then reviewed by the employee’s supervisor and approved or denied based on staffing needs.

It’s important for UN employees to plan their vacations in advance and coordinate with their colleagues to ensure that there is adequate coverage during their absence.

  • Plan vacations in advance
  • Coordinate with colleagues
  • Submit requests through Inspira

Why doesn’t the UN have a dedicated vacation department?

While some organizations have dedicated vacation departments that handle all aspects of employee time off, this is not the case at the United Nations. Instead, the responsibility for managing vacation time falls on individual managers and supervisors.

This approach allows for more flexibility and autonomy in managing staffing needs. It also ensures that employees’ vacation requests are reviewed by someone who is familiar with their work and can make informed decisions about how to best balance staffing needs with employee well-being.

In conclusion

While the UN does not have a dedicated vacation department, its staff members are entitled to annual leave, home leave, and special leave. These benefits are managed by individual supervisors and coordinated through an online system called Inspira. By planning vacations in advance, coordinating with colleagues, and submitting requests through Inspira, UN employees can ensure that they get the time off they need while also ensuring that their work responsibilities are covered.