Weekend Comp Off Dilemma: Does Taking Saturday and Monday Count as 2 or 3 Days?

Hi,

The company follows a 3-day leave policy if a leave is taken on Saturday and Monday. Suppose an employee has 2 compensatory offs in the same month. If the compensatory off is adjusted on Saturday and Monday, whether 2 days’ leave or 3 days’ leave is considered?

Please clarify.

Hi all,

Please clarify the following situation regarding company policy: 3 days of leave are granted if an employee takes leave on both Saturday and Monday.

If an employee is on leave on Saturday and Monday and has 2 Compensatory Offs, and claims 1 Compensatory Off on Saturday, what is the rule?

Will it be considered as 2 days of leave (including Sunday) or just 1 day of leave on Monday, considering the employee worked on Saturday (excluding Sunday as leave)?

Thank you all.

Hi Deepak,

Nothing to worry about comp-off and leave rules. If you are happy with the staff, you can give both comp-off on Saturday and Monday so no leave can be deducted. Leaves do not have any fixed rules; it is purely at HR and management's discretion.

What exactly is the 3-day leave policy? Please explain that in detail so we can understand.

Compensatory off and leave are two different things and not the same, though in both cases an employee is authorized to remain absent. Thus, compensatory off is outside your leave policy. Therefore, in my view, an employee can be permitted to take compensatory off on Saturday and Monday without clubbing Sunday.

B. Saikumar

Leave Rules and Management

Thank you, Deepakji, regarding Co-Off and Clubbing Leave. We need to establish leave rules that consider the company's interests, duties under the Factories/Shops Act, and the well-being of workers, as it can impact the company's reputation, employee morale, and retention. Consistent application is crucial to prevent grievances. I have extensive experience as a former AGM-HR&A with 35 years in HR, IR, and Administration, working with seven manufacturing companies. I can provide you with all the necessary rules, forms for short and long leaves, extra work, Co-Off application, PL encashment form, M.B. Rules, claims, and LWOP.

Employees often try to save leave for encashment when they resign. In cases of urgent leave for two days, how can we manage without affecting the balance? Today, HR departments are criticized for not establishing proper rules.

Please share your email address for the details of 65 HR forms and 150 policies. Payment can be made in accordance with your company's policy. Contact me at [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons] or [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]. I am an HR Consultant, a former member of NIPM, and an ex-trainee member of IIM Bangalore.

Regards, c.neyimkhan

As I understand from your clarification, you are referring to what is commonly known as the sandwich leave rule. This rule counts a Sunday as part of the leave if an employee is on leave both the Saturday before and the Monday after the Sunday.

This rule is a standard practice followed by HR in many companies. However, it typically applies to leave taken or granted in the normal course, such as PL (Privilege Leave), CL (Casual Leave), SL (Sick Leave), or even LWP (Leave Without Pay).

In my opinion, compensatory off is a different category of leave granted for working on holidays or weekly offs. Including a sandwich rule with this may be in the policy but could be considered unfair. There is no legal rule either supporting or disallowing this practice.

If you have more than 50 employees, I suggest ensuring that the rule is part of your standing orders and clearly worded to avoid any disputes.