Back to Reports & analytics

How do I read leave utilisation reports?

Leave utilisation shows how much leave people take by type, team and month, so you can spot burnout, plan cover and track payout liability.

~4 min read · For admin, manager · Updated 1 Aug 2026

Quick answer

The leave utilisation report shows how much leave people actually take. You can see it by type like EL, SL, CL and LOP, by team, and by month. Use it to spot burnout when usage is very low, plan cover for busy months, and track unused leave you may have to pay out.

What do the leave types mean?

The report splits usage by leave type so you can see the mix:

  • EL — Earned Leave (also called Privilege Leave). Usually carries forward and may be paid out.
  • SL — Sick Leave, taken when unwell.
  • CL — Casual Leave, for short personal needs.
  • LOP — Loss of Pay, taken when no paid balance is left.
This year, whole org
  EL taken .... 612 days
  SL taken .... 188 days
  CL taken .... 240 days
  LOP taken ... 31 days

A rising LOP number can mean people are running out of paid leave.

How do I spot burnout?

Look for people or teams with very low usage. Someone who takes almost no leave all year may be overworked or worried about stepping away.

Leave taken this year
  Priya ...... 18 days  (healthy)
  Arjun ...... 2 days   (check in)
  Meena ...... 0 days   (check in)

Zero or near-zero usage is a nudge to have a caring conversation, not a compliment.

How do I plan cover for busy months?

Sort usage by month to find your peaks. Many teams see spikes in December and around festivals.

Leave days taken by month
  Oct .... 40
  Nov .... 55
  Dec .... 120   <- peak, plan cover

If you know December is heavy, arrange backups early so work does not stall.

How do I track leave liability?

Unused EL usually has to be paid out when someone leaves, so it is a real cost. The report shows how much is sitting unused.

Unused earned leave (payout liability)
  Whole org ...... 940 days
  Sales team ..... 210 days

High unused balances mean encouraging people to take breaks helps both wellbeing and cost. To understand how balances build up, see the balances and accrual guide.

Frequently asked questions

What does very low leave usage mean?
It can be a burnout warning. People who never take leave may be overworked or afraid to step away.
Why does unused earned leave matter?
Unused earned leave often has to be paid out later, so it is a cost your organisation carries.