What is the Difference Between Annual Leave and Personal Leave

The main difference between annual leave and personal leave is their purpose. Annual leaves are intended to be used by employees when they take time off work or on holiday, whereas personal leaves are granted for personal reasons such as being sick or injured, sickness or injury in a family member, family emergency, etc.   

Employees can use their annual leaves for whatever purpose they wish for. However, this type of leave has certain restrictions like employer’s policies and the number of annual leave days the employer offers. In addition, employees have to inform their employers in advance before taking the annual leave. When it comes to personal leaves, there are three main types of personal leaves: sick leave, carer’s leave, and compassionate leave. Moreover, the number of personal leaves allocated for one employee may vary from one organization to another.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Annual Leave 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Personal Leave
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Annual Leave and Personal Leave
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Annual Leave and Personal Leave
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Annual Leave, Personal Leave, Sick Leave

Difference Between Annual Leave and Personal Leave - Comparison Summary

What is Annual Leave

Annual leave is a type of paid leave the employees get as a condition of the employment contract. Most often, the amount of annual leave allocated for an employee is mentioned in the employment contract. However, in many cases, the company/organization expects employees to inform them in advance if they wish to obtain their annual leaves.   

Compare Annual Leave and Personal Leave - What's the difference?

Although annual leave is an employee benefit in many countries, companies offer only a few number of days as annual leave. When it comes to the countries in the European Union, the minimum number of annual leaves employees can take varies from one country to another. However, the minimum number of days included in annual leave should not be less than 20 days plus public holidays.

What is Personal Leave

Personal leave is any time off work that is granted for employees for personal reasons, including family issues, unavoidable personal needs, medical reasons, or formal studies. There are three main types of personal leaves: sick leave, carer’s leave, and compassionate leave.

Annual Leave vs Personal Leave

Furthermore, a personal leave may be either paid or unpaid based on several factors; these factors may include the type of personal leave you take, the number of leave days you take, and the leave policies of a particular organization. Generally, in a case like pregnancy or illness/injury, employee gets a relatively longer sick leave, which falls under the sub-category of medical leaves. 

Similarities between Annual Leave and Personal Leave

  • Both annual and personal leave are two types of time off work employers offer to the employees.
  • Employees may get payment for these leaves.
  • A number of factors, including the leave policies of a particular organization, affect both annual and personal leave.

Difference Between Annual Leave and Personal Leave

Definition

Annual leave refers to a paid time off from work granted to employees whereas personal leave refers to a leave that employees take for personal reasons.

Reasons

Annual leaves are intended to be used by employees when they take time off work or on holiday, whereas personal leaves are granted for personal reasons such as being sick or injured, sickness or injury in a family member, family emergency, etc.   

Payment

Unlike annual leave, a personal leave can be either paid or unpaid depending on several factors like the type of personal leave you take and the leave policies of a particular organization.

Days

Employees usually get a standard number of annual leave days as a condition of their employment contracts, but the number of personal leaves an employee takes may vary depending on his or her personal needs.

Conclusion

The main difference between annual leave and personal leave is their purpose. Annual leaves are time off work whereas personal leaves are for personal reasons such as being sick or injured, sickness or injury in a family member, family emergency, etc.  In addition, employees usually get a standard number of annual leave days as a condition of their employment contracts. But the number of personal leaves an employee takes may vary depending on his or her personal needs.

Reference:

1. Thomson, Iain. “The Importance of Annual Leave for Your Employees’ Health and Wellbeing.” Sodexoengage.com.
2. “Leave.” Ministry of Manpower Singapore.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Office workplace and a sticky note on the tablet with text – I am on sick leave(CC BY 2.0) By Marco Verch Professional Photography

2. “Calendar-date-mark-day-hand” (CC0) via Pixabay

About the Author: Anuradha

Anuradha has a BA degree in English, French, and Translation studies. She is currently reading for a Master's degree in Teaching English Literature in a Second Language Context. Her areas of interests include Arts and Literature, Language and Education, Nature and Animals, Cultures and Civilizations, Food, and Fashion.

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