Leave Approval
Leave approval is the process by which employee leave requests are reviewed and approved or declined by managers, often following a workflow with rules and delegation.
processes
Category
beginner
Difficulty
4 min read
Read time
2025-01-15
Updated
Definition
Short definition
Leave approval is the process by which employee leave requests are reviewed and approved or declined by managers, often following a workflow with rules and delegation.
Detailed explanation
Leave approval is the workflow for handling employee holiday and leave requests. It typically involves request submission, manager review, approval/decline decision, and notification.
Modern systems automate much of this process with rules-based approval, multi-level authorization for extended periods, delegation when managers are away, and visibility into team coverage.
The process should balance employee needs for timely responses with business requirements for coverage and planning.
Practical guidance
How it works
Employee submits request in system. Manager receives notification. Manager reviews coverage and balance, then approves or declines with reason. Employee is notified.
Best practices
Set SLA for response time
Provide visibility of team absences
Enable delegation
Allow auto-approval for short periods
Require reasons for decline
Legal context
Legal basis
Company policy
Jurisdiction: Global
Key provisions
Employees have right to take statutory leave
Employer can require notice period
Employer can decline specific dates with reason
Cannot unreasonably refuse all leave
Official source
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer refuse my leave request?
Employers can decline specific dates with business reason (e.g., busy period, team coverage). They cannot unreasonably refuse all leave or deny your right to take statutory entitlement within the year.
How much notice should I give for leave?
Company policy typically requires notice at least equal to the leave duration (e.g., 1 week notice for 1 week leave). Longer holidays may need more notice for planning.
Related glossary terms
Annual Leave
Annual leave is paid time off from work that employees are entitled to take each year for rest, relaxation, and personal activities.
Absence Management
Absence management is the comprehensive approach to managing employee time off, including policies, tracking, reducing unplanned absence, and supporting employee wellbeing.