Can Your PSU Boss Really Stop You from Leaving Town on Your Days Off? Let's Discuss

Can your boss in a PSU deny you from going out of the station on your weekly off days?

Information is necessary, but can he deny leaving the station on his weekly off days?

It would have been better if you had mentioned the nature of the activities of the PSU and the position of the incumbent on whom such a restriction is imposed. We cannot engage in a liberal literary interpretation of such a restriction clause without critically analyzing the reasons behind it concerning the nature of the activities of the organization and the duties of the incumbent.

Travel Restrictions During COVID-19

It all depends on the period and the context. Under this COVID environment, there is a general tendency to discourage avoidable traveling, especially when it is by public transport, unless there is a pressing situation. Otherwise, the employee who travels will have to subject themselves to an RTPCR test at their own cost, for which normally 48 hours are required. So, resuming duty after the travel gets further delayed by these two days.

Permission to Leave the Station

The permission to leave the station can be denied in exigent service, whether in the public sector or private sector. If it is done with malice, then it is wrong. Given the current situation, the denial of such permission is understandable. Many organizations have implemented a blanket ban on travel during the pandemic.

Thank you!

Leave Rules in PSUs

As per the general conditions of Leave Rules in PSUs, leave cannot be claimed as a matter of right. Furthermore, in exigencies of work, leave can either be refused or revoked. Moreover, it's at the discretion of the authority competent to sanction or refuse the leave under the garb of work.

Ground Reality

Now, in terms of ground reality, if one is maintaining harmonious relations with the boss, there is hardly any chance of refusal of leave. However, if the equation is not good, there comes the situation as raised under the post, which is seen at most workplaces.

Regards, JSM