Leaves in India

Published on: November 5, 2019
Culture

Why This Report Matters

Leave policies are more than just HR formalities—they reflect an organization’s culture, empathy, and legal compliance. The Leaves and Holidays in India report by HRhelpdesk® explores how Indian organizations approach employee leave, revealing both progressive practices and concerning gaps.

Based on a public survey of 752 participants across various states and sectors, this report offers a data-driven look at how earned, sick, casual, maternity, paternity, bereavement, and study leaves are implemented—or neglected—in workplaces across India.

As organizations strive to balance productivity with employee well-being, this report serves as a vital resource for HR professionals, business leaders, and policymakers aiming to build inclusive and compliant leave frameworks.

Survey Overview

  • Survey Period: September 22 – October 15, 2019
  • Participants: 752 qualified responses from across India
  • Method: Online public survey
  • Scope: Focused on leave types; does not include festival holidays or compensatory offs

Key Insights

Earned Leave

  • 24% of participants reported no access to earned leave.
  • Despite legal mandates under the Factories Act and Shops & Establishment Acts, gaps in implementation persist.

Sick Leave

  • 42% of respondents said they do not receive sick leave, even though most states require it.
  • This raises concerns about employee health support and legal compliance.

Casual Leave

  • 36% reported no casual leave, despite it being a standard entitlement in most employment laws.

Maternity Leave

  • 55% of participants said their organizations do not provide maternity leave, despite clear provisions under the Maternity Benefit Act.
  • This was the most non-complied leave type in the survey.

Paternity Leave

  • Only 29% of participants reported access to paternity leave.
  • While growing in acceptance, it’s still far from being a universal practice.

Bereavement Leave

  • Just 11% of respondents said their organizations offer bereavement leave.
  • Though not legally mandated, it’s increasingly seen as a compassionate workplace practice.

Study Leave

  • Only 7% reported access to study leave.
  • Once popular in knowledge-driven industries, its relevance has declined post-2010.

Regional Disparities

The report highlights state-wise gaps in leave compliance, with Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh showing significant non-compliance—especially in maternity and sick leave provisions.

Employee Experience

  • Only 38% of participants described their leave-taking experience as pleasant.
  • Others cited bureaucratic hurdles, discouragement from management, or personal reluctance to take leave.

Why Download the Full Report?

This public excerpt offers a glimpse into the state of leave policies in India. The full report includes:

  • Detailed breakdowns by state and industry
  • Comparative analysis of leave types
  • Insights into employee sentiment and organizational culture
  • Recommendations for improving leave frameworks

Download Report