Navigating Leave Policies During COVID-19 Lockdown: What Are Your Rights and Options?

Leave Policy During State of Emergency

In this state of emergency, can any good friend suggest what the leave policy is for an employee? The employer has forcibly asked employees to submit a leave application for a period up to 31 March 2020 (as of the last order). The government has locked down the entire state as a curfew, with no movement allowed by any citizen. Simultaneously, the government has requested that no one's salary be cut at this juncture.

On the other hand, if the employee had plans for his or her leave for the year and their leave will be deducted during this special emergency situation, what should be done? Are there any government rules regarding the above concerns?

Thanks

Government Orders on Employee Wages During Shutdown

There are state government orders (as well as an order from the Central Government) not to lay off workers or reduce their wages. This means that the employer should pay full wages during the shutdown period.

Challenges for Employers

The government can direct private companies to pay wages to all employees, including casual workers, because it is not from the government exchequer that it is paid. When there is no production or sales, how can the employer pay salaries, even to their permanent employees who are to be retained until the situation improves? It is true that in a situation like this, you should not leave your employees who have been with you to generate revenue until now. However, a 100% pay, as directed by the government, is not practical when the employers are equally hit by the situation and the forthcoming economic pandemic, which is more serious.

Some of us have made this a guiding policy... hope it helps sensitize others. Yes, I fully agree... all of us will be safer and richer if the companies continue... if the proprietor is fleeced, nothing will be left.

Guiding Policy for "Voluntary Salary Renunciation"

Up to 25K p.m. = nil
25 to 50K = 30% renunciation (or as he or she may offer)
50 to 100K = 40%
100K onwards = 50%

Model Letters/emails 1

As my contribution to my company, which is my source of living, I seek to forego 30% of my Gross Salary from 21st March 2020 to 30th June 2020 (around 3 months). Kindly take this as my contribution for the benefit of the workers who are much poorer than me and need to be helped at this point in time.

Model Letters/emails 2

As my contribution to my company during the Corona crisis, I seek to forego Rs 10,000 p.m. from my Gross Salary from 21st March 2020 to 30th June 2020 (around 3 months). Kindly take this as my contribution for the benefit of the workers who are much poorer than me and need to be helped at this point in time.

Model Letters/emails 3

As my contribution to my company during the Corona crisis, I seek to go on Leave by utilizing my Earned Leaves. From ___ to ____. Kindly take this as my contribution for the benefit of the workers who are much poorer than me and need to be helped at this point in time.

Model Letters/emails 4

As my contribution to help in the payment of salary to workers in our factory, and to help my company during the Corona crisis, I seek to waive 30% (or ___%) of my Salary From ___ to ____. I fully understand that my salary shall restore back to existing from 1st July 2020.

Model Letters/emails 5

As my contribution to help in the payment of salary to workers in our factory, and to help my company during the Corona crisis, I seek to go on Leave without pay From ___ to ____.