Leave request and approval automation

**1. Purpose**

1. Automate employee leave requests and approval workflows for an alcohol manufacturer, optimizing HR operations, reducing manual errors, ensuring traceability, providing quick response cycles, maintaining compliance, and synchronizing HR and payroll data for effective workforce management.

**2. Trigger Conditions**

1. Employee submits leave request via portal, app, or email.

2. Automated receipt or change of leave by manager or HR.

3. Integration event: new or amended leave in HRIS, Slack, or Teams chat.

4. Calendar clash in Outlook/Google/Exchange.

5. New data row in SharePoint/List/Airtable/Sheet reflecting leave event.

6. Incoming webhook from biometric or clock-in/clock-out device indicating absence.

**3. Platform Variants**

1. Microsoft Power Automate

• Feature: "When an item is created" in SharePoint; configure with HR leave form list ID and notification action.
  

2. Google Workspace

• API: Apps Script with "onFormSubmit" trigger; link with Gmail for leave alerts and Calendar API for auto-blocking dates.
  

3. Slack

• Feature: Workflow Builder "Form Submission"; set HR approval thread and direct notification.
  

4. SAP SuccessFactors

• API: "LeaveRequest" endpoint (Create/GET/PUT); configure orchestration with HR workflow rules.
  

5. Workday

• API: Human Resources SOAP/REST "Submit Time Off"; configure webhook to notify next-level manager.
  

6. BambooHR

• API: "POST /time_off/requests"; use custom webhook to alert HR.
  

7. Oracle HCM Cloud

• Feature: HCM Data Loader or REST "AbsenceRequests"; set orchestration event for approval chain.
  

8. ServiceNow HR

• Feature: Table API, "Create Record" for leave table; configure notification rule.
  

9. Zendesk

• Integration: Trigger on "Request Type: Internal Leave"; configure automatic ticket assignment to HR.
  

10. Freshservice

• Feature: Automator Workflow "Leave Request"; configure to track decision and update requester.
  

11. Jira Service Management

• Feature: Issue Type "Leave Request"; Automation rule to transition status and update employee.
  

12. Asana

• Integration: Custom Form Submission; Rule to auto-assign to HR for approval.
  

13. Trello

• Power-Up: Card Button "Submit Leave"; Label change triggers Manager checklist.
  

14. Salesforce

• Process Builder: "Leave Request" object; workflow to escalate to HR manager.
  

15. Monday.com

• Feature: Board Automation "When column changes to ‘Leave Requested’, notify HR"; Calendar integration for leave tracking.
  

16. Zoho People

• API: "Leave Applications" POST; configure rule for auto-approval chain and notification.
  

17. Paychex Flex

• Feature: Time Off Requests webhook, configure action on new requests to ping manager via SMS.
  

18. ADP Workforce Now

• API: "/time_off/v1/requests"; use webhook for approval routing and payroll sync.
  

19. Gusto

• API: "Time Off Requests" endpoint; configure approval step and push update to payroll.
  

20. HubSpot

• Workflow: Custom Property for "Leave Request"; trigger internal notification and update contact record.
  

21. Rippling

• Feature: HR Cloud Automation "Leave Request Submission"; notify manager and auto-block dates in Google/Outlook Calendar.
  

**4. Benefits**

1. Eliminates manual HR paperwork.

2. Ensures real-time tracking of leave balances.

3. Reduces approval bottlenecks and administrative delays.

4. Improves compliance with labor laws.

5. Enhances data accuracy for payroll and reporting.

6. Provides clear audit trail for HR investigations.

7. Allows rapid scalability during seasonal demands or multiple site operations.

8. Empowers employees with self-service capabilities.

9. Integrates leave with resource planning and shift rosters.

10. Boosts transparency and trust in HR processes.