Struggling with Leave Requests and Work-Life Balance: How Would You Handle This?

Dear all, this is Prawinand from Bengaluru. Presently, I am working with a small company with around 70 employees, and I will be working directly with the company founder.

Recently, I got married, and for my marriage, I applied for a 20-day leave. The company founder asked me why I needed so many days off, as we got married in just 1 hour and returned to the office afterward. I explained that in my native place, it is tradition not to allow the couple to leave town for up to 16 days after marriage. He understood and approved the leave at that time.

Now, there are some family obligations or urgent matters that may require me to visit my native place. When I requested just 1 day off, he responded, "No, we have already granted you a lot of leave, and we cannot approve any additional days off."

Recently, due to a transportation issue caused by a citywide strike, I was unable to make it to the office. I informed the company founder via email, but he insisted to the HR department, "No, he has to come to the office." These situations have made it difficult for me to focus on my work and family, and as a result, I am feeling unsettled.

Could you please provide some suggestions on how to proceed from here?

Thank you.

Your founder seems to be an impossible type of personality, and it would be very difficult for any employee to get along with such an employer, particularly when one is under his direct control and supervision. After all, paid employment can only be a means for living, not living in itself. It would be better to try for an alternative posting in the company, conveniently away from its founder, or seek a better job elsewhere.

Hi Prawinand,

First of all, HAPPY MARRIED LIFE. We are working to LIVE, but not living for work. I mean work-life balance is necessary. If you are not feeling well with that employer, you can change immediately. But what if the next employer does the same thing :). Understand that most employers/managers will not give bulk leaves to employees except in urgent/important situations. If you think a change is necessary to balance work life, you can do so.

Wishing you good luck.

Understanding Leave Policies in Employment

You have to understand the basic definition of leave when you are employed and drawing wages for your work. Mostly, it runs smoothly due to good relationships with supervisors.

'Leave,' which means authorized absence from duty, has never been a matter of right. Leave must be communicated with the nature of work and should be conducive to creating a suitable atmosphere for employment. The employer can refuse to grant leave to an employee due to work exigencies, and the employee must be informed of this.

You can refer to the case law for this: The workmen of Orissa Transport Corporation vs. Orissa Transport Corporation, 1975 I LLJ 11.