If you run a small business, you already know how tricky it can be to keep track of leave and working days.
One person updates a spreadsheet. Others record sick leave in an email. Someone else uses a wall calendar.
Before long, everything becomes confusing, and you are left wondering who is actually working and who is not.
It is easy to miss leave requests, double-book someone during a busy period, or forget about upcoming public holidays.
The truth is that small businesses rely heavily on every team member. When even one person takes leave, the workload shifts. If you do not have the right information in front of you, planning becomes stressful.
You might not realise two people are away at the same time, or you may approve leave only to discover a deadline is around the corner. These little issues can create big problems.
Online leave management software offers a simple solution. They help you see everyone’s availability, manage requests, and keep records accurate.
Instead of chasing information or guessing who is in the office, you get a clear view of your team’s schedule.
In this guide, you will discover why leave tracking matters, what features you should look for, and the best online leave management software that makes managing leave easy for small businesses like yours.
Why Small Businesses Need Effective Leave and Working Day Tracking
Small businesses often run lean, which means you cannot afford confusion about who is working.
When leave is tracked manually, it is easy to miss things. Someone may forget to enter a sick day, or an employee might assume their leave has been approved when it has not.
These errors lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and last-minute scrambling.
Having a clear system helps you plan workloads properly. You know exactly who is available, who is off, and when things will get busy. This helps you avoid staffing gaps and makes it easier to meet deadlines.
It also improves fairness because leave decisions become consistent and transparent instead of being based on memory.
Accurate leave tracking also supports payroll. Many small businesses accidentally overpay or underpay staff because of outdated records or missed entries.
A proper system solves this by syncing leave balances and attendance directly with payroll data.
On top of that, online leave management software helps you stay compliant by keeping detailed records of leave, working days, and employee attendance.
Features to Look for in Leave Management Software
Not all leave management software is the same. Here are the features that make the biggest difference for small businesses.
- Automated Leave Requests and Approvals: Employees should be able to submit leave easily. The system should notify managers instantly and record approvals automatically. This saves a lot of email back-and-forth and keeps everyone aligned.
- Customisable Leave Types: Your business may use annual leave, sick leave, personal leave, unpaid leave, or rostered days off. A good tool lets you customise these, so your records match your policies.
- Working Day and Public Holiday Calendars: The tool should include ready-made public holiday calendars for your country and region. This helps you calculate working days accurately without manual checking.
- Integration with Payroll and Timesheets: Integrations keep everything consistent. When leave, timesheets, and payroll are connected, your pay runs become accurate and stress-free.
- Real-Time Reporting and Dashboards: Dashboards help you see leave balances, upcoming absences, and staff availability at a glance. This helps you plan workloads and avoid clashes in schedules.
- Mobile Access: Your team should be able to request leave or check balances from their phone. This makes the process more convenient for everyone and reduces delays.
- Compliance and Record Keeping: Good tools store detailed records for audits, disputes, and legal compliance. You do not have to worry about missing files or outdated entries.
- Scalability: Small businesses grow quickly. Choose a tool that supports more users and more features as you expand.
Best Online Leave Management Software to Track Leave and Working Days for Small Businesses
Here are some of the most effective tools that small businesses use to manage leave and working days.
1. Sentrient
Sentrient offers a complete leave management software that helps small businesses manage leave, attendance, and working days in a simple and reliable way.
You get a clear view of who is working, upcoming leave, and any potential scheduling conflicts.
The platform makes it easy for employees to submit leave requests and for managers to approve them quickly. Because everything is stored digitally, you do not have to worry about missing documents or incorrect records.
It also integrates well with other HR functions, giving you an organised and streamlined experience.
Key Features
- Online leave requests and approvals
- Holiday and working day calendars
- Employee self-service
- Accurate reporting and tracking
- Compliance features
Pros
- Very simple to use
- Strong compliance support
Cons
- Advanced analytics are available in higher plans
Ideal For
Small businesses want a reliable, all-in-one HR and leave management solution.
2. BambooHR
BambooHR is a well-known HR tool that offers a user-friendly way to track leave and working days.
The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it ideal for small businesses that want a simple system without a steep learning curve.
Employees can request time off online, and managers can approve with one click. Leave balances update automatically, reducing the risk of mistakes. BambooHR also includes reporting tools that help you understand patterns in staff availability.
Key Features
- Time-off management
- Automatic balance tracking
- Reporting tools
- Employee self-service
Pros
- Very intuitive
- Great user experience
Cons
- Limited customisation
Ideal For
Small businesses want an easy and modern leave management software.
3. Employment Hero
Employment Hero is a popular all-in-one HR and payroll platform designed for growing businesses.
It offers a complete leave management system that helps you track absences, approvals, and working days quickly and accurately.
The system also connects with payroll and rostering, making it easier to keep your records aligned. It is especially helpful for small teams that want automation across HR and payroll at the same time.
Key Features
- Leave management
- Payroll integration
- Public holiday calendars
- Mobile app
Pros
- Designed for growing teams
- Strong integration options
Cons
- Prices increase with add-ons
Ideal For
Businesses want combined HR and payroll tools.
4. Timetastic
Timetastic is a simple and affordable leave management software that is very popular with small businesses.
It replaces spreadsheets and paper forms with a clean digital calendar that shows who is off and when.
Staff can request leave with a single tap, and managers receive instant notifications. You get a clear overview of the whole team, which makes planning much easier. It is perfect for small teams that want a no-fuss solution.
Key Features
- Digital leave calendar
- Mobile app
- Automatic updates
- Simple approvals
Pros
- Very affordable
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Limited advanced features
Ideal For
Small businesses want a fast and simple leave tool.
5. Zoho People
Zoho People offers a full suite of HR features, including a solid leave management system.
You can customise leave types, track attendance, and generate detailed reports. It also integrates with other Zoho products, which is helpful if you already use the Zoho ecosystem.
The tool is flexible enough for small businesses and provides helpful automation for routine HR tasks. Employees can check their leave balance or request time off through the app.
Key Features
- Custom leave types
- Attendance tracking
- Mobile access
- Reporting tools
Pros
- Highly customisable
- Works well with other Zoho tools
Cons
- Setup takes time
Ideal For
Businesses using other Zoho systems.
6. Factorial HR
Factorial HR is a modern HR tool that helps you track leave, working days, and attendance easily.
It provides a clean interface and simple workflows that small businesses can use without difficulty.
Employees can submit leave requests digitally, and the system updates balances automatically. You can also create reports that help you understand staffing trends.
Key Features
- Leave requests
- Working day reports
- Holiday calendars
- Employee portal
Pros
- Modern design
- Easy for staff to use
Cons
- Fewer integrations
Ideal For
Small teams want modern, digital HR tools.
7. LeaveBoard
LeaveBoard focuses on leave and absence management for small businesses.
It offers a cloud-based calendar that shows availability and upcoming leave clearly.
The system automates leave requests, approvals, and notifications. It is lightweight, affordable, and ideal for small teams wanting simplicity.
Key Features
- Online leave calendar
- Automated approvals
- Balance tracking
- Team dashboards
Pros
- Affordable
- Simple interface
Cons
- Limited broader HR tools
Ideal For
Very small businesses need basic leave tracking.
8. Deputy
Deputy is popular for scheduling, rostering, and time tracking, but it also includes strong leave management features.
You can approve leave, set up working day rules, and manage public holidays easily.
It is especially helpful for businesses with shift workers or hourly staff, but office-based teams can also benefit from its structured approach.
Key Features
- Scheduling and rostering
- Leave approvals
- Time tracking
- Mobile app
Pros
- Great for shift-based teams
- Strong scheduling tools
Cons
- More features than some teams need
Ideal For
Businesses managing rosters and shifts.
9. Rippling
Rippling offers HR, payroll, and IT tools in one platform. Its leave management system lets staff request time off easily, and managers can approve with one click.
It automatically updates calendars, timesheets, and payroll, making it a reliable option for small teams that want automation.
Key Features
- Leave tracking
- Calendar sync
- Timesheet integration
- Alerts and notifications
Pros
- Very automated
- Good integrations
Cons
- Pricing can vary
Ideal For
Tech-focused small businesses.
10. Calamari
Calamari is a user-friendly tool designed for leave management and attendance tracking.
It works well for small businesses that want a simple system that is easy for staff to understand.
You can customise leave types, track working days, and generate useful reports. It also integrates with popular tools like Slack and Google Workspace.
Key Features
- Leave calendars
- Attendance tracking
- Slack integration
- Reports
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Integrates with common tools
Cons
- Limited advanced HR features
Ideal For
Small businesses using Slack or Google tools.
Conclusion
Tracking leave and working days is essential for small businesses.
With limited staff and busy schedules, you need a clear understanding of who is available and when.
Online leave management software makes this easier by automating requests, updating records instantly, and giving you a complete view of your team’s availability.
If you want a simple, reliable, and easy-to-use system that brings leave management together with other HR processes, Sentrient’s All-in-One Workforce Management System is an excellent choice.
It offers online leave requests, real-time calendars, accurate tracking, and strong compliance features designed to support small businesses.
If you are ready to simplify your leave and attendance management, now is the perfect time to explore your options.
Book a demo with Sentrient today and see how easy workforce management can be.
FAQs
1. What is the best way to track employee leave?
Online tools are the most reliable because they update records automatically and reduce errors.
2. Can small businesses automate leave approvals?
Yes. Most leave tracking tools offer automated approval workflows.
3. Do leave-tracking tools sync with payroll?
Many systems integrate with payroll to ensure accurate pay runs.
4. What should small teams prioritise in a leave tracker?
Ease of use, automation, real-time visibility, and mobile access.
5. Can employees submit leave from their phone?
Most modern tools offer mobile apps or mobile-friendly dashboards.
6. Is paid software better than spreadsheets?
Yes. It reduces admin, improves accuracy, and prevents double bookings.
7. What is a good all-in-one solution for small teams?
Sentrient’s All-in-One Workforce Management System is a strong option for simple and integrated leave management.
