Rolling Period Limit
The Rolling Period Limit plugin restricts usage within a moving time window. Unlike yearly limits that reset on a fixed date, this limit looks back a specified number of months from each request.
When to use
Use this plugin when:
- You want to prevent clustering of time off (e.g., max 5 days in any 3-month period)
- Limits should be evaluated continuously rather than resetting annually
- You need flexible usage caps that don’t align with calendar boundaries
Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Max usage | Maximum days that can be used within the rolling period. | Required |
| Period months | Size of the rolling window in months (1–24). | Required |
| Include account IDs | Additional accounts whose usage counts toward this limit (for combined caps). | — |
How it works
The plugin examines a sliding window of time:
- For each request, looks back the specified number of months from the request start date
- Sums all usage (including pending requests) within that window
- Blocks the request if adding it would exceed the maximum
Rolling window example
With Period months = 3 and Max usage = 5 days:
If today is June 15, the system checks usage from March 15 to June 15. Tomorrow (June 16), it would check from March 16 to June 16. The window continuously moves forward.
Examples
Maximum 5 days per quarter
Limit usage to 5 days within any 3-month period:
- Add the Rolling Period Limit plugin
- Set Max usage
to
5 - Set Period months
to
3
Spread out extended leave
Prevent employees from taking more than 10 days within any 6-month period:
- Add the Rolling Period Limit plugin
- Set Max usage
to
10 - Set Period months
to
6
Monthly cap
Limit to 2 days per month:
- Add the Rolling Period Limit plugin
- Set Max usage
to
2 - Set Period months
to
1
Comparison with Yearly Usage Limit
| Feature | Rolling Period Limit | Yearly Usage Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Reset timing | Never (continuous sliding) | Fixed date each year |
| Look-back period | Configurable (1–24 months) | Always 12 months |
| Use case | Prevent clustering | Annual caps |
The rolling limit is stricter for preventing bunched usage, while the yearly limit is better for annual allowance caps.
Error messages
When a request would exceed the rolling limit, employees see a message indicating:
- The maximum allowed in the rolling period
- How much they’ve used in the current window
- How much remains available