From the commencement of their secondment, the SNE shall be covered by the Agency against the risk of accident. The Agency shall provide the SNE with a copy of the terms of this cover on the day on which the SNE reports to the Chief Executive of the Agency to complete the administrative formalities related to the secondment.

When, in the context of a mission in which the SNE is participating under the terms of Articles 7(2) and 29 additional or specific insurance is required, the relevant costs shall be borne by the Agency, or by the national administration of origin in case of cost-free SNEs and NEPTs, after having consulted the concerned Member State with regard to the mission.

The SNE shall be subject to the rules in force at the Agency as regards working hours, depending on the requirements of the post to which the SNE is assigned within the Agency.

The SNE shall serve on a full-time basis throughout the period of secondment. Following a duly justified request from a Director and subject to compatibility with the interests of the Agency, the Agency may authorise an SNE to work part-time, after obtaining the agreement of the employer.

Where part-time work is authorised, the SNE shall work at least half of the normal working time.

In the event of absence due to sickness or accident, an SNE shall notify the superior as soon as possible, stating the SNE's present address. The SNE shall produce a medical certificate if absent for more than three consecutive days and may be required to undergo a medical examination arranged by the Agency.

Where absence due to sickness or accident of not more than three days exceeds a total of 12 days over a period of 12 months, an SNE shall be required to produce a medical certificate for any further absence due to sickness or accident.

Where an absence due to sickness or accident exceeds one month or the period of service performed by the SNE, whichever is the longer, the allowances referred to in Article 19(1) and (2) shall be automatically suspended. This paragraph shall not apply in the event of illness linked to pregnancy. Absence due to sickness or accident may not extend beyond the duration of the secondment of the person concerned.

However, if the SNE is the victim of a work-related injury which occurs during the period of secondment the SNE shall continue to receive, in full, the allowances provided for in Article 19(1) and (2) throughout the period during which that SNE is unfit for work up to the end of the period of secondment.

Without prejudice to specific provisions set out in this Decision, the SNE shall be subject to the rules in force at the Agency as regards annual leave, special leave and holidays.

Leave is subject to prior authorisation by the unit to which the SNE is assigned.

Upon a duly substantiated application by the employer, up to two days of additional special leave in a 12-month period may be granted by the Agency. Requests are examined on a case-by-case basis.

Days of annual leave not taken by the end of the period of secondment shall be forfeited.

An SNE whose period of secondment is less than six months may be granted special leave, on the basis of a reasoned application and subject to a decision by the Chief Executive of the Agency. That special leave may not exceed three days for the whole period of secondment. Before granting such leave, the Director concerned shall hold a prior consultation with the Human Resources Unit (hereinafter referred to as the ‘HR Unit’) of the Agency.

An SNE shall be subject to the rules in force at the Agency as regards maternity and paternity leave.

Where the national legislation of the employer grants longer maternity leave, at the SNE's request and after prior agreement of the employer, the secondment shall be suspended for the period exceeding that granted by the Agency. In that case, a period equivalent to the suspension shall be added at the end of the secondment, if the interests of the Agency so warrant.

Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the SNE may apply for a suspension of the secondment to cover the whole of the period allowed for maternity, after prior agreement of the employer. In that case, a period equivalent to the suspension shall be added at the end of the secondment, if the interests of the Agency so warrant.

Paragraphs 2 and 3 shall also apply in cases of adoption.

An SNE who is breastfeeding may on request, on the basis of a medical certificate attesting the fact, be granted special leave for a maximum of four weeks running from the end of her maternity leave, during which period she shall receive the allowances laid down in Article 19.