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Casual Leave

Short-notice paid leave for unforeseen personal matters, usually 10 days per year in Pakistan.

Detailed Definition

Casual Leave (CL) is short-notice paid leave intended for unforeseen personal matters: a family emergency, a court appearance, a minor illness not serious enough for sick leave. The statutory minimum in Pakistan, per the West Pakistan Shops and Establishments Ordinance 1969, is 10 days per year for employees in shops and commercial establishments. Industrial employees get 10 casual leave days per the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance 1968.

Casual leave is typically granted for 1 to 2 days at a time, with approval required before or immediately after taking it. Most Pakistani companies do not allow casual leave to be accumulated year-over-year or encashed at separation — it is a use-it-or-lose-it benefit, resetting each calendar year. Some companies distinguish between casual leave and sick leave; others merge the two under a single category.

HR policies usually require a manager approval for casual leave, especially beyond 1 day. Digital HR platforms track casual leave balances per employee and enforce per-request limits automatically.

Example

She took 2 days of casual leave to attend her brother's wedding rehearsal.

Related Terms

Annual LeaveLeave Encashment

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