Leave Policy of any organisation describes the leave entitlement and crediting of leave, leave availment terms and conditions, leave sanctioning authorities, action in case of overstay of leave or in cases absenteeism etc besides the type and nature of different kinds of leave. Basically leave is of the following types:
1. Casual Leave - to meet sudden emergencies like death in family, usually given between 7-12 days,
2. Earned Leave/Annual Leave/Privilege leave - Employee earns the leave by virtue of service. Factories Act prescribe a norm of one day paid leave for every 20 days worked. Most organisations give between 22 to 30 days leave in a year.
3. Medical Leave - given either on full pay basis or on half pay basis, Medical Certificate insisted for more than two days absence, usually given 20-25 days in a year. If ESI Act is applicable, then seperate medical leave is not needed for ESI covered employees
4.Extra-ordinary Leave or Leave without Pay - To deal with extra-ordinary situation like flood or other natural disaster at home town, prolonged illness etc. Usually limited to 3-6 months in the whole career.
The different types of leave occur due to the different nature of them. It is possible to contain them under one or two heads, subject to the applicable Standing Orders, mentioning the statutory condition of the leaves and they have to be strictly complied.