Consulting Doctors Want More Leave – What Does the Law Say About Their Entitlement?

Our hospital is a multi-specialty hospital. Our consultants are residents and receive good remuneration (more than $350,000). They are all enjoying holidays and leaves that are provided to group C and D employees, and they are requesting more leaves. What does the law say about this?

Dear [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons], it appears that you have not framed a policy on employee leave. First, frame the policy. Secondly, while framing the policy, please note that it has to conform to the provisions of Karnataka Shops and Establishment Rules, 1963. As the healthcare industry is a part of the service industry, these rules are applicable to your company.

As far as deciding the number of days of leave for the resident doctors is concerned, I recommend some senior authority taking the doctors into confidence and then rolling out the policy. The proactive disclosure of the contents of the policy will help to place doctors and the administration on equal footing, and this will avoid the backlash of any kind from the doctors.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar