Navigating Leave Policies: Can We Use One Policy Across Multiple States?

We are a company covered under the Shops and Commercial Establishment Act. We have offices in multiple states. I want to know whether we can follow the leave policy applicable in our head office or if we have to create different policies for different states.

It is better that you have a policy as per the festivals of the respective states.

Regards,
RKM

You can prepare the Leave Policy as per your head office, where your head office is situated. In my last company, we also maintained the same policy.

Uniform Leave Policy Across States

You should follow a uniform leave policy for all states in such a way that the number of leaves is not less than what is prescribed under any Shop & Commercial Establishment Act of the states where you have offices. It is beneficial if your employees are transferable to any offices. For holidays, you can have different policies depending on the states.

Regards,
Varghese Mathew
Base India Consultants
Trivandrum
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Leave Policies Across Multiple States

Leave as an inclusive subject will include CL, SL, PL, and PH. Out of these, only for PL are there laws and rules from different states. These rules are not very different from each other. Study the rules of the states where you have branches and select the maximum PL given to employees, applying it to all other states where you have branches.

For CL, SL, and PH, it is your unilateral decision or a clause in agreement with the union. To be honest, this should be enforced by the employer, perhaps as a clause in the agreement. Uniformity in service conditions is essential for the smooth functioning of transfers.

Regards,
Vibhakar Ramtirthkar.

Not only is there a provision for PL, but there are also provisions for CL and SL in the Shops and Commercial Establishments Acts of different states.

Regards

Leave Policy and State Holidays

Leave policy is always a crucial aspect of the company. How it is dovetailed with the 'Holidays Calendar' of different states should be considered. It is desirable to follow the holidays applicable in each state, particularly if your employees at a location belong to that state.

The general practice is to have the holidays list comprising of:
- Closed holidays (applicable to all employees)
- Restricted holidays (provide a list of all state-wise festivals and give the option to choose any 3).