Skip to main content

Adding a New Leave Type

Leave types define the different categories of leave available to employees, such as Annual, Casual, Medical, and Paternity leave. IceHrm uses leave types to track employee leave eligibility and enforce your company's leave policies.

How to Add a Leave Type​

  1. Go to Leave Management > Leave Types

  2. Click Add New

  3. Configure the three sections: Basic, Carry Forward, and Advanced

  4. Click Save

Basic Settings​

The basic settings control the fundamental behavior of the leave type.

Basic Settings

  • Admin can assign leave to employees: Enable if admins should be able to assign this leave on behalf of employees
  • Employees can apply for this leave: Enable if employees can self-apply for this leave type
  • Leaves per Year: Number of leave days allocated per leave period

Carry Forward Settings​

Carry forward settings determine what happens to unused leave at the end of a leave period.

Carry Forward Settings

  • Leave Accrue Enabled: When enabled, leave accumulates daily instead of being available all at once upfront
  • Carry Forward Enabled: Allow unused leave balance to transfer to the next period
  • Percentage of Leave Carried Forward: What percentage of unused leave carries over (e.g., 100% = all unused leave)
  • Maximum Carried Forward Amount: Cap on number of days that can be carried forward (0 = unlimited)
  • Carried Forward Leave Availability Period: How long carried-forward leave remains usable in the new period

Example​

Leave Type: Annual Leave
Leaves per Year: 20 days
Carry Forward: Enabled
Percentage: 100%
Maximum: 5 days
Availability: 90 days

Result: Up to 5 unused days carry forward and must be used within 90 days of the new period.

Advanced Settings​

Advanced settings provide additional controls for leave eligibility and application rules.

Advanced Settings

  • Proportionate Leaves for New Employees: Calculate leave allocation based on employee's start date within the leave period
  • Leave Accrue Skip Count: Number of months after joining before leave starts accruing
  • Apply Leave Beyond Current Leave Balance: Allow employees to apply for more leave than their current balance
  • Employee Leave Period: Define the leave period this leave type applies to

Proportionate Leave Example​

Employee joins: July 1, 2024
Leave Period: January 1 - December 31, 2024
Full Entitlement: 20 days
Proportionate Entitlement: 20 × (6 months / 12 months) = 10 days

Additional Options​

Additional Options

  • Leave Accrue Skip Count: Months after hiring before the employee becomes eligible for this leave
  • Required Notice Days: Advance notice (in days) required when applying for this leave

Notice Period Example​

Required Notice Days: 14

Result: Employees must apply at least 14 days before the requested leave date.

Common Leave Types​

  • Annual Leave: Typically 15-25 days. Carry forward enabled, proportionate for new hires.
  • Casual Leave: Typically 5-10 days. No carry forward, immediate availability.
  • Medical/Sick Leave: Typically 10-15 days. No carry forward, may require attachment.
  • Paternity Leave: Typically 5-15 days. No carry forward, specific eligibility rules.

Quick Setup Checklist​

  • Set a clear, descriptive name
  • Configure leaves per year based on company policy
  • Decide if admins can assign and/or employees can apply
  • Configure carry forward rules (if applicable)
  • Set proportionate calculation for new employees (if needed)
  • Define notice period requirements
  • Set any lock/skip period for new hires