How is accrued leave handled and carried over in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, the handling of accrued leave—including its accumulation, carryover, and payment in lieu—depends on company policies and employer approval, as there are no specific statutory requirements governing these practices. Here's a breakdown:


Accumulation and Carryover of Leave:

  • Minimum/Maximum by Law: There are no statutory minimum or maximum limits for the amount of accrued leave that can be carried over to the next year.

  • Practice: Carrying over unused leave to the following year is typically subject to employer’s approval. While there is no legal obligation to carry over leave, many companies allow employees to do so, ensuring that leave balances are used in the following year.


Payment in Lieu of Leave:

  • Payment in Lieu: Employees can receive payment in lieu for unused leave, but this is only allowed for leave over 10 days.

  • This means that if an employee has more than 10 days of unused leave, the employer may offer payment instead of granting the leave.

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