Understanding the Sandwich Leave Policy in India: What Employees Need to Know

Vasundhra Tewari

| 2025-07-11 | Business Stories

Leave rules in India can differ from one company to another, but one policy that often leads to confusion, and sometimes frustration, is the “Sandwich Leave Policy.” Although it might sound like just another HR term, it can have a real impact on how your paid leaves are counted.

But what is this policy, and how does it impact the employees? Let’s understand.

What is the Sandwich Leave Policy?

The Sandwich Leave Policy is a method of calculating leave where weekends and holidays that fall between two leave days are also counted as leave days, just like how everything between two slices of bread is part of a sandwich.

Example: If an employee takes leave on a Friday and the following Monday, and Saturday and Sunday are regular weekly offs, the company may count all four days, including Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, as leave, not just the two working days.

Why Do Companies Use This Policy?

Many companies implement the sandwich leave policy for practical and operational reasons:

To Discourage Extended Weekend Leaves: Many companies believe that taking extended leaves can affect overall productivity
To Follow Internal HR Rules: Some organizations follow their internal HR rules or comply with certain industry-specific frameworks, especially in factories or shift-based setups
To Maintain Better Staffing Levels: This is done to ensure teams are available when needed

The implication of this leave policy is most commonly seen in traditional corporate setups where attendance is closely monitored, and in some sectors like manufacturing and retail.

Sandwich Leave Policy: Under the Indian Law

Though this policy is not prohibited under Indian law, certain conditions should be met on how it should be implemented, which include:

It should be clearly stated in the company’s HR policy or employment contract, and the candidate should be aware of it well in advance
It should be communicated to employees upfront, preferably during onboarding

In short, the policy is allowed, but transparency and legal compliance are key.

Important Pointers for Employees

Check your Company’s Leave Rules: Read your company’s HR policy or talk to the HR department to clearly understand how your leave days will be counted
Be Smart While Planning Your Leave: If your company uses the sandwich leave system, avoid placing your leave next to weekends or holidays, unless you’re okay with those days also being marked as leave
Raise your Concerns Thoughtfully: If the leave policy isn’t clear, request an explanation from HR in writing. If you’re in a position to do so, suggest ways to make the policy more balanced or employee-friendly