---
title: How to Retract or Cancel a Leave Request
description: "In HRSimplified, employees have the option to **retract or cancel leave requests**, depending on the status of the request. The process ensures that leave balances are handled correctly based on whether the leave was approved or is still pending. ---…"
url: "https://hrsimplified.org/docs/how-to-retract-or-cancel-a-leave-request/"
updated: "2024-10-08"
category: Leave Management
---

# How to Retract or Cancel a Leave Request

In HRSimplified, employees have the option to **retract or cancel leave requests**, depending on the status of the request. The process ensures that leave balances are handled correctly based on whether the leave was approved or is still pending.

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## Conditions for Canceling or Retracting Leave

- **If the leave is** **not yet approved**, the employee can **cancel**it directly, and no further action is needed since the leave days have not been deducted.
- **If the leave has already been approved**, the leave must be **retracted** so the system can return the deducted leave days to the employee's balance.

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## Steps to Retract or Cancel a Leave Request:

### 1. Navigate to My Leave Requests

- Log into your HRSimplified account.
- Go to the **Home** menu and select **My Leave**.
- Here, you will find a list of all your submitted leave requests.

![HRSimplified My leave section, Employee self service where they can manage their leave ](https://hrsimplified.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-23-1024x576.png)

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### 2. Cancel an Unapproved Leave Request

If your leave request has **not yet been approved**, you will see a **Cancel** button next to the request.

- **Click the Cancel Button**:
  This action will immediately remove the leave request from the approval process.
- **No Changes to Leave Balance**:
  Since the leave was not approved yet, no leave days will be deducted from your balance.

![HRSimplified leave management modal indicating editing and/or canceling unapproved leave. ](https://hrsimplified.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-26.png)

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### 3. Retract an Approved Leave Request

If your leave request has already been **approved**, the system will provide you with a **Retract Leave** button.

- **Click the Retract Leave Button**:
  This will generate a **Leave Reversal Request** that is sent to your manager for approval.
- **Manager Approval**:
  The request will appear in your manager’s inbox as a standard leave approval request but labeled as a **reversal**.
- **Leave Days Credited Back**:
  Once your manager approves the reversal, the system will automatically **credit the leave days back** to your balance, restoring your available leave.

![HRSimplified leave modal with Retract button highlighted](https://hrsimplified.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-25.png)

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## Important Notes:

- **Audit Tracking**: All retracted leave requests and cancellations are tracked in the system, ensuring there is a clear record of any changes to leave balances.
- **Manager Notification**: Your manager will be notified of leave reversal requests in the same manner as standard leave approvals. The approval process follows the same workflow.
- **Immediate Action for Pending Requests**: If your leave is still pending, the cancellation takes effect immediately without requiring further approval.