Are Company Leave Policies Fair if They Lead to Overtime? Let's Discuss the Impact on Productivity

Dear RESPECTED HONOURABLE CITE HR Members,

What I want to point out is that many HR professionals are expressing concern that employees are taking extended leaves, which is further impacting the productivity of the company. Some proactive HR professionals have suggested making employees work overtime to complete tasks in the event of leave.

Please consider this: why does the company provide leave to its employees, such as SL, CL, PL, EL, etc.? If I take a day off, the workload remains the next day whether it's a holiday like Diwali or not, resulting in the need for overtime work for the following days. In essence, am I truly benefiting from the company's leave policy if I have to compensate for my time off by working extra hours?

What are your opinions on this matter?

If the company's productivity is being impacted, why offer leaves at all? And if leaves are granted, why resort to LOP and issue warning letters when employees use their allocated leave quota?

Do we really need HR practices of this nature to effectively manage the company?

Thank you.

Hi,

Fine enough. But why don't you try to understand? You are also a part of the company. Leaves are provided to you so that your social life should not get affected. But, of course, there are some of your responsibilities as well. Would you like to leave your work in between?

You cannot leave your responsibility of your professional life or personal life, and to maintain that balance, leaves are provided.

Thanks,
Manish

Dear,

As per the rule, management can refuse to grant leave. However, when we are calculating manpower requirements for an establishment, we take leave, absenteeism, and festivals into consideration. Therefore, not granting leave is not a solution. We are human beings and require leave for many purposes.

If someone is taking frequent leave without permission, do not grant it and take disciplinary action against them. Asking to work overtime is very costly; you have to pay double.

Thank you.

J. S. Malik

I don't think we generally address the issue correctly in the first place.

1. From an Employee point of view one must understand that the few days that they get to rest is utmost important and Diwalli being a festival it is hard for people to come back to work, as sometimes they have relatives and household stuff to finish.

2. From an Employer point of view, we haggle with our employee about the leave days granted and this is okay to do because of deadlines and client requirements etc.

However we must look to meet our employees half way that, way they will meet us half.

Never haggle for a holiday when it is possible, to start with.

Incase of deadline make sure that the employee understands the need of the moment.

Don't reprimand employees after the deed is done; inform them in advance that if so and so thing happens the guideline clear state the repercussion.

The best way of solving issues is communication. Create clear forum between the HR and employee. At least try!!! I won't say it always works but that why we know that we are trying to do what our job requires us to do be ‘Human'.

Hello,

First of all, I would like to tell you that no company happily sanctions leave to their employees. However, they provide leave because they are required to follow statutory rules. No company forces you to take leave; it is at your discretion. If you choose to utilize this benefit, you may need to compensate by working overtime, among other things.

Regards,
Sree