In every workplace, taking time off from work for personal matters is normal. Whether it is an urgent task, family event or a personal day off, Casual Leave, often referred to as CL helps employees manage the personal responsibilities without using up their annual or medical leave. In this blog, we’ll explore everything about casual leave applications including its rules, best practices and how to write one using the right format.
What Is Casual Leave?
CL (Casual leave) is meant for occasional needs and is usually not carried forward if unused. Applying for casual leave can be very simple if you are aware of the important things like; the number of casual leaves applicable in your organisation, CL rules for government employees and the grounds on which leave can be applied. For a smoother application process, understanding the proper leave application format can also make a big difference.
Difference Between PL & CL
Privileged Leave (PL) is a long-term leave that employees accumulate over time based on the number of days they have worked in an organisation. It is typically used for planned vacations or long breaks. Whereas, Casual Leave is short-term leave granted for urgent or unforeseen personal reasons. Understanding the key difference between PL and CL is important as it helps employees plan their time off effectively while staying aligned with company policies.
Grounds On Which Casual Leave Is Applied
Casual leaves are commonly used for reasons like:
- Family functions or Family Event
- Urgent personal work/travel
- Health check-ups/ Sick leave (Many organisation have a clubbed CL/SL leave days)
- Family emergencies
- Short religious observances
Jobs On Job Hai Platform
Casual Leave Rules
- Eligibility: Generally available to permanent employees after the probation period
- Number Of Days: Most companies grant 8 to 12 CL leaves annually
- Non transferable: Unused casual leave usually lapses at the end of the year
- Short Duration: CL leave is generally granted for less than 4 days at a time
- Prior Approval: Casual leave must be applied for in advance, unless it’s an emergency
- No Prefix Or Suffix: In many organizations, casual leave cannot be clubbed with public holidays/weekend off
- Separate From Other Leaves: CL leave is not deducted from earned or sick leave
- Applicable For Temporary Staff: Casual leave for government employees may be extended to temporary staff as well
Rules For Government Employees In India
In India, casual leave for government employees follows specific regulations:
- 12 CLs per year are allowed in most government sectors
- Leave is calculated on a calendar-year basis
- CL leave cannot be clubbed with earned or half-pay leave
- Requires approval from senior officers
- No carry forward of casual leave for government employees
- Not eligible for encashment
Difference Between Casual Leave And Annual Leave
| Feature | Casual Leave (CL) | Annual Leave (Earned Leave) |
| Purpose | Short-term personal work | Long holiday/Planned absence |
| Carry Forward | Usually not allowed | Often allowed |
| Prior Approval Required | Yes | Yes |
| Max-Duration | 3-4 days | 5-7 days |
| Encashment | Not Applicable | Encashed as per company’s policy |
Sample Of Casual Leave Application (Employee to Manager)
| To The Manager ABC Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai Subject: Casual Leave Request for Two Days Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing this to request for 2 days of casual leave, i.e. 22nd May and 23rd May due to some urgent family work. I will resume my duties on 24th May and will be available on my personal number during my absence, if required. I will ensure all responsibilities are managed efficiently and the work is taken care of. Kindly approve my leave for the above mentioned dates. Regards, Amit Kumar Sales Executive |
Sample Of Casual Leave Application (Employee to HR)
| To The HR Manager XYZ Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore Subject: Application for Casual Leave Respected Sir/Madam, I am writing to request casual leave for one day on [Absence Date] due to a personal commitment that requires my attention. I will ensure that work is not hampered and my responsibilities are taken care of by my team during my absence. Kindly grant my leave for the said date. Thank you for your consideration. Best regards, Ritika Sharma Designation: Software Developer Contact: 65XXXXXXX7 |
Sample Of CL Application For Government Employees
| To The Head Clerk Department of Education Kolkata Subject: Request for CL Leave Respected Sir/Ma’am, I would like to request casual leave for [number of days], from [start date] to [end date], due to [brief reason – e.g., a personal matter/family commitment/urgent work at home]. I will ensure that all my responsibilities are managed in my absence and will resume duty on [resumption date]. Kindly consider my request and grant me leave for the mentioned period. Regards, Manoj Verma Clerk |
Sample Of Casual Leave Application For Travel
| To The Team Lead [Your Company Name] [City] Subject: Casual leave for travel purpose Dear Sir/Ma’am, I am planning a short trip to my hometown and would like to apply for casual leave from 5th June to 7th June 2025. I will resume work on 8th June and make sure my current projects are up to date before leaving. I will be available via phone or email during my absence in case of an emergency. Kindly consider my request and grant my leaves. Best Regards, Karan Joshi Marketing Executive |
Tips For Writing Casual Leave Application
- Use a clear and respectful tone
- Mention correct dates
- Keep the reason brief
- Highlight work coverage if needed
- Submit the application in advance if possible
Some offices even accept casual leave requests through simple text messages on platforms like Teams or internal chat portals. However, whenever you’re taking a casual leave, setting up clear and professional Out of Office Messages plays a crucial role in maintaining workplace communication. This practice helps inform colleagues and clients of your unavailability and set the right expectations during your absence.
Conclusion
Understanding and following the correct casual leave rule in India is essential for maintaining discipline at the workplace. Whether it’s a corporate job or a government job, following casual leave rules can avoid misunderstandings and added confusions.
FAQs
Q1: What Is The Rule For Casual Leave?
A- The rule for casual leave is that it is typically limited to 8–12 days per year, granted for urgent or unforeseen personal matters, and must be approved in advance whenever possible.
Q2: What Are PL And CL Leave?
A- PL (Privilege Leave) is earned leave that can be accumulated and carried forward for planned vacations.
CL (Casual Leave) is granted for short-term, urgent needs and usually cannot be carried forward.
Q3: What Is PL In Salary?
A- PL in salary refers to Privilege Leave or Paid Leave, which is earned leave that employees can take with full pay. It is usually accumulated monthly and can be encashed or carried forward as per company policy.
Q4: Can I Take 2 Days Of Casual Leave?
A- Yes, you can take 2 days of casual leave if it is within your allowed CL balance and approved by your manager or authority as per your organization’s leave policy.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
