Employee Leave Policy Checklist
What a clear, fair leave policy covers: annual, sick, parental and family leave, public holidays and unpaid leave.
Run leave in Gochi HR: staff ask for leave themselves, managers approve it, and balances and the team calendar follow your leave policies.
Why a clear leave policy matters
A well-written leave policy protects both your business and your employees. It sets clear expectations and removes the ambiguity that leads to disputes and resentment.
This checklist covers the leave types most businesses set out in their policy. Minimum entitlements are set by law in most countries, so have the finished policy checked by a qualified adviser.
Leave types to cover
- Annual leave: how much, how it builds up, carry-over, and payout when someone leaves
- Sick leave: how much, when a doctor's note is needed, and long-term illness
- Parental leave: maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Family and compassionate leave: bereavement and family emergencies
- Public holidays: how public holidays interact with annual leave
- Unpaid leave: when unpaid leave may be granted
How to put the policy in place
Once it has been reviewed, include the policy in your employee handbook and refer to it in your employment contracts. Make sure every employee receives a copy and confirms in writing that they have.