Glossary

Waiting Period

An initial stretch of employment before a new hire can start accruing or using leave.

A waiting period is the time at the start of employment during which an employee is not yet eligible to accrue or take certain leave — commonly the first 30, 60, or 90 days. It is a common feature of PTO and benefits policies.

Waiting periods should be applied consistently and disclosed up front so new hires know when their entitlement begins.

Example: A 90-day waiting period means PTO starts accruing after three months.

In Orvella: Accrual rules in Orvella can start from a hire date plus a waiting period, so eligibility is handled automatically.

Related terms

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