Absences can be imported into Merit Palk from a CSV file.
If the source data is prepared in Excel (XLS/XLSX) format, it can be easily saved as a CSV file.
This import functionality is available only for users of the PRO package of Merit Palk.
To import absences, open the menu: Settings → Data import from file → Absences import
CSV file requirements
General settings
Encoding: UTF-8
Field separator: semicolon (;)
File structure
Column | Description | Notes |
Column 1 (A) | Contract import ID or personal identification code | *** - required field |
Column 2 (B) | Absence type code | *** - required field (codes listed below) |
Column 3 (C) | Absence start date (dd.mm.yyyy) | *** - required field |
Column 4 (D) | Number of absence days |
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Column 5 (E) | Document name/number |
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Column 6 (F) | Absence end date (dd.mm.yyyy) |
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Column 7 (G) | Calculation method code | Codes listed below |
Column 8 (H) | Custom amount |
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Column 9 (I) | Incapacity benefits start code | Codes listed below |
Column 10 (J) | Incapacity benefits compensation percentage |
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Additional instructions
Column names in the first row of the file must be included if not all data is imported at once.
If all columns are filled in the file, the headers may be omitted.The file may contain empty rows at the end, which the program will ignore.
All columns starting from column 11 will be ignored.The contract import code is required if the employee has multiple contracts. This code is defined in the employee’s contract card.
Absence type codes and calculation method codes are predefined in the system and cannot be modified.
Date format: dd.mm.yyyy
If the number of absence days is specified in the file, the end date will be ignored. In this case, the program automatically calculates the end date.
If the calculation method is set to custom amount, the amount must be entered in column 8 (H) (up to 2 decimal places).
The incapacity benefit compensation percentage must be between 70 and 100 (as a whole number).
💡 The CSV file must always be generated from an Excel (XLS or XLSX) file. If changes are required in the import data file, they must be made in the original Excel file, not in the CSV file.
After making the changes, save the Excel file again in CSV format and use the new CSV file for import.
Absence types with compensation
Code | Absence type | Notes |
1 | Vacation |
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3 | Child leave (reimbursable) | Valid until 03/2022 |
4 | Extended vacation |
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5 | Paternity leave (reimbursable) |
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6 | Study leave |
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7 | Incapacity |
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8 | Child leave for parents of a disabled child (reimbursable) | Valid until 03/2022 |
9 | Leave on employer permission |
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10 | Carer’s leave |
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Absence types without compensation
Code | Absence type | Notes |
1001 | Absent from work |
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1004 | Unpaid vacation |
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1005 | Parental leave |
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1006 | Leave for national service |
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1008 | Incapacity (not reimbursable) |
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1009 | Other (occupational) |
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1010 | Other (non-occupational) |
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1011 | Child leave without pay | Not the same as code 1015 |
1012 | Incapacity (uncompleted) |
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1013 | Paternity leave |
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1014 | Maternity leave |
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1015 | Child leave | New absence type due to changes in the parental leave and benefits system from 01.04.2022 |
1016 | Child leave for parents of disabled child | New absence type due to changes in the parental leave and benefits system from 01.04.2022 |
Absence calculation method codes
Code | Calculation method |
1 | Based on average salary |
2 | Maintain constant monthly pay |
3 | Custom amount |
Incapacity benefit start codes
Code | Compensation starts from |
1 | First day |
2 | Second day |
3 | Third day |
4 | Fourth day |
Error report
If the imported file matches the required structure but the data import fails, an error report can be saved containing row-by-row error messages.
📁 Sample file
You can download a sample file here