Determining length of employment involves considering the starting date and the current or end date. For example, an employee who began on January 15, 2020, and remains employed as of October 31, 2023, has accumulated three years and approximately nine and a half months of tenure. Variations exist in precise calculation methods, sometimes accounting for specific dates, while others consider full months or years.
Accurate tenure determination is essential for various human resources functions. It plays a crucial role in calculating benefits such as vacation accrual, retirement contributions, and severance packages. Moreover, it informs decisions related to promotions, seniority-based assignments, and anniversary recognition programs. Historically, manual tracking was prevalent, but modern HR management systems automate these calculations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.