Sick Leave (SL)
Paid leave for illness or medical recovery, typically 7-12 days a year, with a medical certificate required for longer stretches.
What is Sick Leave (SL)?
Sick Leave covers days you can't work because of illness, recovery from a procedure, or care for a sick child or parent (in some policies). Indian companies usually offer 7 to 12 SL days a year, credited upfront. Most policies ask for a doctor's certificate if SL runs beyond 2 or 3 consecutive days. Sick Leave doesn't carry forward in most companies and isn't encashable on exit. Some state Shops & Establishment Acts club CL and SL into a single bucket; others list them separately. For employees covered under ESI, sickness benefit kicks in beyond the SL pool, paying around 70% of wages for up to 91 days a year, subject to contribution conditions.
How Sick Leave (SL) is used
Employees mark SL through the HR portal, often the same morning. HR may ask for a medical certificate for longer absences before approving paid SL.
Sick Leave (SL) FAQs
Do I need a medical certificate for sick leave?
Most policies require a doctor's note only if SL runs beyond 2-3 consecutive days. For a single day off, a self-declaration is usually enough.
What if I run out of sick leave?
Once SL is exhausted, you can use EL or CL. Beyond that, days off become Loss of Pay. ESI-covered employees can claim sickness benefit separately.
Can sick leave be taken in half-days?
Yes, most leave management systems allow half-day SL for short medical appointments or partial recovery days.