A manager who recently moved to Kochi has sparked discussion online after claiming that their employer deducts salary whenever approved leave is taken, despite offering 15 days of annual leave.
The employee shared the experience in a Reddit post, stating that the policy was not disclosed during the hiring process and only came to light after salary deductions appeared in monthly pay.
Employee says leave policy was not disclosed
According to the post, the employee joined the company four months ago in a managerial role. The offer included a salary of Rs 18,000 during a two-month probation period and Rs 20,000 after confirmation.
The employee said they had specifically asked about leave provisions during the interview and were informed that they would be entitled to 15 days of annual leave. The same entitlement was also mentioned in the offer letter.
When salary was reduced after taking leave during the probation period, the employee assumed it was linked to their probationary status.
Salary deductions continued after probation
The employee claimed that salary deductions continued even after becoming a permanent employee.
After approaching the human resources department and management for clarification, the employee was allegedly informed that the company deducts salary whenever leave is taken and reimburses the amount at the end of the year.
According to the post, the company calculates the total leave utilised during the year and pays the deducted amount separately after the annual review.
Employee questions fairness of practice
The manager said the arrangement was never explained during the recruitment process or after joining the organisation.
The employee added that the policy has a direct impact on monthly finances, particularly because they occasionally need to travel to visit family outside Kochi.
The individual also argued that salary deductions should apply only after the annual leave entitlement has been exhausted. They further claimed that work-related responsibilities often continue during leave periods without any corresponding consideration from the employer.
Seeks advice from online community
In the post, the employee asked whether others had encountered a similar leave policy and sought suggestions on how to proceed.
Among the options being considered were requesting the policy in writing, formally raising the issue with human resources or exploring alternative employment opportunities.
Social media users express concern
The post attracted several responses from users, many of whom said they had not encountered a similar policy.
One commenter described the practice as unusual and said it did not align with their experience of workplace leave policies.
Another user expressed scepticism about whether the deducted amount would eventually be reimbursed and advised the employee to review the employment contract for details of the leave provisions.
Others urged the employee to examine the offer letter and employment documents closely, while some questioned whether the practice would withstand legal scrutiny and suggested considering other job opportunities.