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Configure leave rules for your employees

Updated in January- 2026 | Subscribe to watch greytHR how-to video

Configuring leave rules for your employees refers to the process of setting up and defining the specific rules and policies that govern employee leave within a system or software. It involves establishing parameters and guidelines for various aspects of leave, such as entitlements, accruals, eligibility criteria, approval workflows, and other rules that dictate how employees can request and use their leave.

The Leave Rules page in the greytHR Admin portal allows you to configure various leave rules as per your requirements. The page explains the rules applicable to all the leave workflow types. These types can be leave apply, encashment, and/or grant. You can configure individual rules for each Leave Type. Whenever an employee/user performs a leave transaction, the system automatically applies the rules defined by you. 

⚠️ We recommend you to contact the greytHR support team before making any changes in settings.

Configure custom field option

The custom field option enables employees to opt for a salary advance while applying for leave. To configure the custom field option, from the greytHR Admin portal, go to the Settings icon > System Settings > Leave > Leave Rules.

  1. On the Leave Rules page, under the Leave Rules tab, select a required leave type card, for example - Sick Leave. 

  2. Click the Edit icon on the selected leave type card. A form appears.

  3. Click the ▼ arrow. A dropdown list appears. 

  4. Select the Workflow Settings option. A form appears.

  5. From the Add custom field in the Apply Leave section (Yes/No) option, select Yes.

  6. In the Title of the field text box, enter a relevant title.

  7. In the Description of the field text box, enter a relevant description.
    Note: From the Allow reviewers to change the employee selection option, select Yes if you wish to allow the managers to override the employee’s selection.

  8. Click Finish to update the changes.

Configure stand-in user option

The stand-in user option enables the employees to appoint a backup for work in their absence.

  1. On the Leave Rules page, under the Leave Rules tab, select a required leave type card, for example - Sick Leave. 

  2. Click the Edit icon on the selected leave type card. A form appears.

  3. Click the ▼ arrow. A dropdown list appears. 

  4. Select the Workflow Settings option. A form appears.

  5. From the Allow Employees to select a Stand-in Employee when applying for leave option, select Yes.

    Note: From the Allow Managers to change Stand-in Employees option, select Yes if you wish to allow the managers to override the employee’s selection.

  6. Click Finish to update the changes. A success message appears.

Configure comp off eligibility hours

  1. On the Leave Rules page, under the Leave Rules tab, select a Compensatory Off (CO) leave card and click the Edit icon. A form appears.

  2. Select Consider Attendance Excess hours from the OT policy option using the check box.

  3. Click Finish to update the changes. A success message appears.
    Once you enable the Consider Attendance Excess hours from OT policy option, you can define the comp off eligibility hours from the Overtime Policy page.

Note: Once you select the Consider Attendance Excess hours from OT policy option, the Allow employees to apply for grant if their attendance status is and Attendance excess hours required for full day grant option gets disabled.

Configure Both (OT/ comp-off) option

Both (OT/ comp-off) option benefits employees by offering them the flexibility to choose between overtime pay or compensatory off for their excess hours. T

  1. On the Leave Rules page, under the Leave Rules tab, select a Compensatory Off (CO) leave card and click the Edit icon. The Grant Settings page opens.

  2. Select Allow employees to apply for additional leave grant (for compensatory off) option using the check box.

  3. Select Check Grant Rules While Applying check box. Selecting this option initiates an automated check to verify if employees have previously submitted applications for overtime.

  4. Select Allow employees to apply for grant if their attendance status is: checkbox, and mention the days.

  5. Select Consider Attendance Excess hours from OT policy checkbox

  6. Click Finish to update the changes.

Set eligibility criteria for Leave Types

You can now configure age-based eligibility rules for any leave type to ensure that only eligible employees can apply for the leave.

To configure the eligibility criteria, from the greytHR Admin portal, go to the Settings icon > System Settings > Leave > Leave Rules.

  1. On the Leave Rules page, select any leave type card.

  2. Click the Edit icon on the selected leave type card. A form appears.

  3. Click the â–Ľ arrow to expand the configuration options.

  4. Select Eligibility Criteria.

  5. Select Applicable for age between: [ ___min ] and [ ___max ] years, and mention the age.

  6. Click Finish to update and save the settings.
    Note: If an employee does not meet the age eligibility criteria while applying for  Leave, the error message Employee does not meet the age eligibility criteria for this leave type (Allowed: 18–52 years) will display.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Leave Rules in greytHR?

Leave Rules define how different leave types behave in the system. They control employee eligibility, application behaviour, approval workflows, compensatory off rules, and additional options such as stand-in users or custom fields. These rules are automatically applied whenever an employee performs a leave transaction.

Where can admins configure Leave Rules?

Admins can configure Leave Rules from the greytHR Admin portal. Go to Settings > System Settings > Leave > Leave Rules

Each leave type has its own rule configuration, allowing admins to manage policies independently.

Can Leave Rules be configured differently for each leave type?

Yes. Leave Rules are configured per leave type (for example, Sick Leave, Casual Leave, Compensatory Off). Each leave type can have its own workflow settings, eligibility criteria, and grant rules.

What is the Custom Field option in Leave Rules?

The Custom Field option allows admins to add an additional input field during leave application. This is commonly used to let employees opt for salary advance or provide specific information while applying for leave.

Can managers override employee selections in a custom field?

Yes. Admins can enable the option Allow reviewers to change the employee selection, which allows managers or reviewers to override the employee’s selected value during approval.

What is the Stand-in User option?

The Stand-in User option allows employees to select a backup employee who will take over responsibilities during their absence. This helps ensure continuity of work while the employee is on leave.

Can managers change the stand-in employee selected by an employee?

Yes. If enabled, the Allow Managers to change Stand-in Employees option allows managers to modify the stand-in employee during the leave approval process.

How is Compensatory Off (Comp Off) eligibility calculated?

Admins can configure Comp Off eligibility based on attendance excess hours derived from the OT policy. Once enabled, eligibility hours are defined in the Overtime Policy, not in Leave Rules.

What happens when “Consider Attendance Excess hours from OT policy” is enabled?

When this option is enabled:

  • Comp Off eligibility is calculated based on OT policy rules

  • Certain manual grant options in Leave Rules are automatically disabled to avoid conflicts

This ensures accurate and consistent Comp Off calculation.

What is the “Both (OT / Comp-off)” option?

The Both (OT / Comp-off) option allows employees to choose between:

  • Overtime pay, or

  • Compensatory Off

for their excess working hours, providing greater flexibility to employees.

Does the system check existing OT applications when granting Comp Off?

Yes. When Check Grant Rules While Applying is enabled, the system verifies whether the employee has already applied for overtime before allowing a Comp Off grant.

Can admins restrict leave eligibility based on employee age?

Yes. Admins can configure age-based eligibility criteria for any leave type. Only employees within the defined age range will be allowed to apply for that leave.

What happens if an employee does not meet the age eligibility criteria?

If an employee does not meet the configured age criteria, the system displays an error message during leave application, clearly stating the allowed age range for that leave type.

Are Leave Rule changes applied immediately?

Yes. Any changes made to Leave Rules are applied immediately and affect all future leave transactions.
⚠️ It is recommended to consult the greytHR support team before making changes to avoid unintended policy impact.

Can Leave Rules affect existing leave applications?

No. Changes to Leave Rules do not impact already submitted or approved leave applications. They apply only to new leave transactions going forward.

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