Navigating Office Leave Approvals: Who Should Handle Your Request First, HR or Your Boss?

Dear Seniors,

I want to understand the details of the leave process.

Approval for Leaves

1 - Should leaves for 1 day or more, like 10 days, be approved by the Manager/Supervisor or HR?

2 - Does the leave application go via HR to the reporting authority or boss, or should it be the other way around?

Process for Leave Application

3 - Should the leave application be verbally discussed (reasoning and approval) first, and then a formal application be given, or should it be applied first to HR and the Manager and then discussed?

Thanks in advance.

Hi, In the normal course, leaves are to be approved by the immediate superior or head of the department. An employee can directly get the leave approved from the immediate supervisor and does not need to route it through HR. Generally, employees should discuss their leave requirements with their immediate superior, and then the leave card update and approval process will take place. This process is applicable for planned leave only. For unplanned leaves, employees should update the superior on the day of leave itself wherever possible. Only in cases of leave requirements beyond 10 days or so, HR should be involved to discuss the reason.