Focus group questions to be covered

A number of questions were deemed important for the focus group to address. Prior to the focus group session, these were identified as follows:

1. What do you define special leave as (sub questions, how does it differ from sick leave and other leave – how long should special leave be)
2. Does anybody have any experience of having applied for special leave and been rejected? (subquestions – ask if they’re willing to share what the leave was for – how did they feel about the rejection)
3. Are you aware of the rules for special leave and how was it communicated to you? (subquestion, do they know why the rules were made ie. HPSCA requirements, do they think it’s fair, how could it be communicated better, What is the current criteria/process that is being used to approve special leave?)
4. Given the requirements of the HPCSA, and your need for special leave, how can you satisfy the requirements and at the same time take time off? (subquestions: how does special leave benefit you in relation to your studies)
5. What impact do you think the special leave has on you colleagues (subquestions – how are you going to catch up on your studies)