Time Off Management in Odoo
The leave request workflow handles how employees request time off, how managers approve it, and how the organization tracks leave balances. Odoo Time Off provides a complete system covering leave types, accrual plans, approval workflows, and team calendar integration. A well-configured leave system reduces scheduling conflicts, ensures fair leave distribution, and keeps projects staffed appropriately.
Leave Type Configuration
Every organization needs multiple leave types. Odoo lets you create as many as needed, each with its own rules. Common types include annual leave (paid vacation), sick leave, personal days, parental leave, bereavement leave, and unpaid leave. Each type defines whether it requires approval, whether it is paid or unpaid, how it appears on the company calendar, and whether it counts toward working time.
Leave Type Settings
| Leave Type | Allocation | Approval | Paid | Accrual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual leave | 20 days/year | Manager | Yes | Monthly |
| Sick leave | 10 days/year | Manager | Yes | Yearly |
| Personal days | 3 days/year | Manager | Yes | Yearly |
| Parental leave | As needed | HR | Varies | None |
| Unpaid leave | As needed | Manager + HR | No | None |
| Compensatory | Earned | Manager | Yes | Manual |
Accrual Plans
Many leave types accrue over time rather than being granted all at once. Odoo accrual plans define how leave balances grow. Configure the accrual rate (e.g., 1.67 days per month for 20 days annually), the accrual period (monthly, bi-weekly), carry-over rules (how many unused days roll to the next year), and maximum balance caps. Accrual plans run automatically, updating employee balances on schedule.
The Request Process
Employee Submission
Employees request time off through the self-service portal or the Odoo Time Off module. They select the leave type, date range, and add an optional reason. The system shows their current balance for the selected leave type and warns if the request exceeds available days. Half-day requests are supported for maximum flexibility.
Manager Review
The manager receives a notification about the pending request. Before approving, they check the team calendar to see who else is off during the requested period. Odoo highlights potential conflicts — if too many team members are already off, the manager may need to negotiate an alternative date. The manager approves, refuses (with a reason), or asks the employee to modify the dates.
Two-Level Approval
For certain leave types (unpaid leave, extended leave), you can require two levels of approval. The direct manager approves first, then HR or a department head provides final confirmation. Both approvals must be granted before the leave is confirmed.
Calendar Integration
Approved leave appears on the company calendar, team calendars, and the individual employee's calendar. This visibility helps with project planning — managers see at a glance which team members are available during any given week. Odoo Planning module uses leave data to adjust resource allocation automatically, preventing task assignments to people who are on leave.
Stress Period Management
Some periods are critical for business operations. Odoo lets you define stress periods (e.g., end of financial year, product launch weeks, holiday season for retail) during which leave requests are either blocked entirely or require executive-level approval. This prevents staffing shortages during peak demand without permanently restricting leave.
Public Holidays
Configure public holidays per country, state, or office location. Odoo automatically excludes public holidays when calculating leave duration — a one-week leave request that spans a public holiday counts as four working days, not five. Multiple holiday calendars support companies with offices in different regions.
Balance Tracking and Reporting
- Individual balance — Each employee sees their current and projected balance per leave type.
- Team dashboard — Managers see aggregate leave data for their team.
- Absence rate — HR tracks absence rates by department, team, and individual.
- Leave forecast — Project remaining balances to year-end based on accrual rates and planned leaves.
DeployMonkey + Time Off
Deploy Odoo Time Off on DeployMonkey and configure leave types, accrual plans, approval chains, and holiday calendars with AI assistance. Give employees transparent leave management from day one.