No-Nonsense Guide to Sick & Casual Leave.

Leave structure in India.

Leave policy in India is a legal framework created by various labor laws, not by a single person. It ensures employees can take rest, recover from illness, or manage personal needs, with rules varying by employment type.

I'm going to cover the type of leaves.

Main Sections:

1. Types of Leave

• Sick Leave

• Casual Leave

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Maternity/Paternity Leave

• Earned/Privilege Leave

• Compensatory Off

Sick Leave: Let’s be honest — sick leave isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Every professional deserves the space to recover without guilt. Companies that truly value productivity understand that rest is part of the job.

Sick Leave: Is Approval Required?

No formal approval is usually required for sick leave. However, it is mandatory to notify your manager or HR immediately if you are unwell — whether it’s due to fever, cold, cough, back pain, or any other illness. Sending a follow-up email after your call ensures there is a proper record of your sick leave.

💡 Tip: Prompt communication shows professionalism and helps your team manage work in your absence.

What is your leave is extending another day as well - if you're still sick then you can continue the leave on another day as well stating that i'm not yet fully recovered and will be on a leave today as well.

Extending Sick Leave

If your illness continues beyond the initially planned day, you can extend your sick leave by notifying your manager or HR. A simple message like:

“I’m not fully recovered and will need to take an additional day of sick leave today.”

💡 Tip: Always communicate promptly — even one extra day of leave without notice can disrupt work planning.

Extending Sick Leave Beyond Two Days

If your illness continues into a third day (or more), most companies require supporting documentation, typically a doctor’s prescription or medical certificate stating that you are unwell and need bed rest.

Example notification to your manager/HR:
“I am still unwell and have attached a doctor’s note. I will need to continue my sick leave for [X] more days.”

 💡 Tip: Always submit medical documents promptly and keep a copy for your records.

What is Casual Leave?

Casual Leave is provided to employees for short-term personal reasons that require them to be away from work. Unlike sick leave, casual leave is typically pre-planned or notified in advance.

Casual Leave: Planning and Priority

If you need to take a single casual leave unexpectedly, you can usually do so by notifying your manager or HR on the same day.

However, if you plan to take multiple casual leaves or leave for an extended personal reason, such as a wedding or family event:

• You must plan in advance and submit a prior notice, often a month ahead, stating the dates and reason for your leave.

• This allows the company to adjust rosters and workloads efficiently.

💡 First-Come, First-Served Basis:
Casual leaves are generally granted on a first-come, first-served basis. If multiple team members request overlapping leave dates, the earliest request that was properly notified will be approved first. This ensures fairness and smooth team operations.

Compensatory Off (Comp Off)

Comp Off is a leave granted to employees who work on a national holiday or any special occasion. Instead of working without a break, employees are allowed to take a day off on another date as compensation for their work.

How it works:

• If you work on a national holiday, inform your manager or HR.

• You will be granted a comp off that can be taken on a mutually agreed date.

• Some companies may require prior approval for the date on which the comp off will be taken.

💡 Tip: Always schedule comp off in advance where possible, so your team can manage workloads efficiently.

Maternity and Paternity Leave.

Maternity Leave (for mothers):

• Maternity leave is provided to female employees before and after childbirth.

• In India, under the Maternity Benefit Act, eligible women are entitled to 26 weeks of paid leave for the first two children. For the third child onwards, the leave is 12 weeks.

• This leave ensures the mother has time to recover and care for the newborn.

Paternity Leave (for fathers):

• Paternity leave is provided to male employees to support their spouse during and after childbirth.

• In India, most companies offer 5–15 days of paid paternity leave, depending on company policy.

Key Points:

• Leave should be planned in advance, wherever possible, and approved by HR.

• Some companies require submission of supporting documents, like medical certificates or birth certificates.

• Maternity and paternity leaves are protected under law, and employers cannot deny them to eligible employees.

💡 Tip: Planning and communication with HR ensure smooth leave processing and workload management.

Earned Leave (EL).

What is Earned Leave?
Earned Leave is a benefit provided by some companies where employees accumulate leave over time. Unlike casual leave, which is short-term, earned leave can be saved and used later or even encashed.

How it Works:

• Typically, 1–1.5 days of leave are added to your earned leave balance every month.

• You can use earned leave after exhausting your casual leaves, making it useful for long vacations or emergencies.

• Companies often cap earned leave at 30–60 days.

Encashment:

• Many companies allow leave encashment annually or at the time of resignation.

• Example: If you have 30 days of earned leave, you could receive the equivalent of double your monthly salary when you resign, depending on company policy.

💡 Tip: Earned leave is a valuable benefit — plan its usage wisely or save it for encashment if you are considering a career change.

Ruthless work has covered all the major types of leave. If you have any questions about leave policies, feel free to drop a comment, and I’ll be happy to respond.