http://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2016/1352/chapter/IICouncil Decision (EU) 2016/1352 of 4 August 2016 concerning the rules applicable to national experts seconded to the European Defence Agency, and repealing Decision 2004/677/ECCouncil Decision (EU) 2016/1352Council Decision (EU) 2016/1352 of 4 August 2016 concerning the rules applicable to national experts seconded to the European Defence Agency, and repealing Decision 2004/677/EC2020-12-12King's Printer of Acts of Parliamenthttps://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/eu-exit/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32016D1352texttext/xmlen2016-08-04 CHAPTER II <Strong> <Emphasis>Working conditions</Emphasis> </Strong> Social security Article 11 1 Before the period of secondment begins, the employer shall certify to the Agency that, throughout the period of secondment, the SNE will remain subject to the social security legislation applicable to the national public administration or the organisation or entity, which employs the SNE. To that end, the relevant public administration shall supply the Agency with the attestation referred to in Article 19(2) of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Portable document A1’). The organisation or entity shall supply the SNE with a certificate equivalent to the Portable document A1 and it shall prove that the social security legislation applicable provides for the defrayal of healthcare cost incurred abroad. 2 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. 3 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. Working hours Article 12 1 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. 2 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. 3 Where part-time work is authorised, the SNE shall work at least half of the normal working time. Absence for reasons of sickness or accident Article 13 1 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. Annual leave, special leave and holidays Article 14 1 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. 2 Leave is subject to prior authorisation by the unit to which the SNE is assigned. 3 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. 4 Days of annual leave not taken by the end of the period of secondment shall be forfeited. 5 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. Special leave for training Article 15 Notwithstanding Article 14(3), SNEs whose period of secondment is six months or more may be granted additional special leave by the Agency for the purpose of training by the employer, subject to a duly reasoned application by the employer with a view to the SNE's reintegration. Maternity and paternity leave Article 16 1 An SNE shall be subject to the rules in force at the Agency as regards maternity and paternity leave. 2 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. 3 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. 4 Paragraphs 2 and 3 shall also apply in cases of adoption. 5 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. Management and control Article 17 The management and control of working time and absences shall be the task of the HR Unit and the Directorate or unit to which the SNE is assigned, in accordance with the rules and procedures in force in the Agency. Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems (OJ L 284, 30.10.2009, p. 1).