This article explains how employees can view their time off policies, check available balances, and submit a time off request through the Niural platform.
Accessing Your Time Off Policies
To begin, log in to your Niural account and follow these steps:
- Go to Time Tools, then select Policies.
- You will see a list of time off policies assigned to you.
There are two types of policies you may see:
- Active Policies: Policies that are currently in effect and available for use.
- Archived Policies: Policies you were previously enrolled in but are no longer active.
Each policy includes details such as how time off is earned, when balances are updated, and any rules related to usage. You will also have access to a Balance Tracker, which shows:
- When time is added to your balance (through accruals or manual adjustments),
- When time is deducted (due to approved requests),
- Any other changes made by you or your employer.
Submitting a Time Off Request
To request time off:
- Navigate to Time Off, then click Request Time Off.
- Select the appropriate policy (for example, Paid Vacation or Sick Leave).
- Enter your desired start date and end date.
The system will automatically calculate the number of days based on your employer’s settings. Weekends are excluded unless your policy includes them. If your company uses a public holiday calendar and has assigned it to you, holidays will also be excluded from the total time requested.
Before submitting, you may see rules related to how much notice is required for different types of leave. For example, a policy may require a two-week notice for any leave longer than five days. These rules will appear automatically when relevant. You can still submit the request, but final approval is at your manager’s discretion.
- Add a short explanation in the Notes section to help your manager review your request.
- Upload any required documentation, such as a medical certificate or travel confirmation, if applicable.
- Click Submit to complete your request.
What to Expect After Submission
Once your request is submitted:
- Your manager will be notified and can either approve or decline the request.
- If approved, the corresponding time will be deducted from your available balance.
- If declined, no changes will be made to your balance.
- If your employer allows negative balances, you may still request time off before accruals have occurred.
You can track all balance changes in the Balance Tracker on your policy page.
Key Terms and What They Mean
Understanding these terms will help you navigate your policy more effectively:
- Annual PTO Cycle: The 12-month period used to track and reset your time off. This might follow the calendar year or your employment anniversary.
- Accrual (Earned Over Time): Time off is earned gradually over the course of the cycle, typically monthly or biweekly.
- Frontloaded (All at Once): You receive your entire time off balance at the beginning of the cycle, rather than earning it gradually.
- Negative Balance: You can take more time off than you currently have available, resulting in a negative balance that is repaid through future accruals.
- Carryover: Unused time off at the end of the cycle can be moved into the next cycle.
- Maximum Carryover: The highest amount of unused time off that can be carried forward. Any unused time above this amount may expire.
- Payout: Your employer may offer payment for unused time off under specific conditions, such as at the end of the year or when you leave the company.
- Maximum Payout: The highest amount of unused time off eligible for payout, as set by your employer’s policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I submit a request if my balance is zero?
Yes, if your employer has enabled negative balances, you may submit a request even if you have not accrued time yet.
Q: Can I cancel or modify a request?
Yes, you can withdraw a pending request before it is approved by your manager.
Q: Will weekends or holidays count toward my time off?
They will not be included in your total unless your company’s policy specifically includes them.
Q: How do I know if my request is approved?
You will receive a notification once your manager takes action. You can also track the status from the Time Off section.