Requesting short-term cover from the Workforce Planning Group

When to apply for cover

You should apply to the WPG if you need to provide temporary cover for a centrally funded post due to:

• illness
• maternity, shared parental or adoption leave
• career break
• long-term recruitment process
• research leave
• other agreed periods of absence

How to apply

Submit a Workforce Planning Application using the replacement form. On the form, choose:

• Temporary
• Filling a staffing gap (in the “About the post” section)

You must include an intended end date for the cover. If further cover is needed later, you can submit a follow-up application.

What to include in your business case

Your business case should explain:

• the reason for the staff absence
• why cover is needed during this time
• any options you have already considered (for example, redistributing duties or delaying work)

The group will consider whether to approve temporary recruitment and may also suggest alternative ways to manage the absence.

Do not include personal or medical information about individual staff members. Applications that contain health-related details will be returned.

After you apply

Your application will be reviewed at the next scheduled WPG meeting.

You will normally receive a decision within 72 hours.

If approved, the permission to recruit cover is valid for three months. If you have not acted on the approval in that time, you must resubmit your application.