📝 Overview

Time-off requests are how employees formally notify the company of their need to take leave — whether for vacation, illness, personal matters, or other reasons. Submitting a request helps your team plan coverage, ensures accurate payroll processing, and keeps your leave balance properly tracked.

This article explains what time-off requests cover, how the approval process works, and what’s expected from employees when taking leave.

🧾 What Types of Leave Can Be Requested?

Most employees are eligible to request various forms of time off, including:

• Vacation Leave – Pre-planned time off for rest or travel.
• Sick Leave – For personal illness or injury, or to care for a family member.
• Personal or Carer's Leave – For personal matters or emergencies.
• Unpaid Leave – When paid leave is exhausted or for special circumstances.
• Public Holidays or Company Days Off – These are automatically recorded and typically don’t require submission unless worked.

Some organizations may also support:

• Bereavement Leave
• Parental Leave
• Jury Duty or Civic Leave

Leave types and entitlements may vary based on your location, employment contract, and applicable laws.

✅ Submitting Requests: What to Know

While submission is typically done via the company’s HR platform (e.g. BambooHR, Workday, HiBob), there are a few important things to understand before submitting:

• Advance Notice: Most leave types require a minimum of [X] business days' notice (check your team policy).
• Manager Approval: All leave must be reviewed and approved by your direct manager before it's finalized.
• Leave Balances: Your available balance (for paid leave) is updated automatically in the HR system each pay cycle. If your balance is insufficient, you may need to take unpaid leave.
• Supporting Documents: For extended sick leave or special leave (e.g. bereavement), you may be asked to submit documentation (like a medical certificate).

🛑 Important Guidelines

• Avoid scheduling leave during blackout periods (e.g., financial close, product launches) unless approved in advance.
• Unexpected leave (e.g. sick days) should still be logged as soon as possible — usually by notifying your manager and submitting the request the same day.
• Changing or canceling leave is possible before the start date and must go through the same system/approval path.

🆘 Need Help?

If you're unsure about your leave balance, eligibility, or encounter issues with submitting a request, you can:

• Contact HR at hr@yourcompany.com
• Message your team lead for clarification on scheduling
• Visit the HR Helpdesk and submit a request under “Leave & Absences”