If your employer denies you the option to encash unused paid leave or carry it forward, the key factor is your offer letter and company leave policy. While labour laws generally entitle employees to a minimum number of paid leaves, specific provisions for encashment or carry-forward often depend on the contractual terms agreed upon. It's advisable to check your offer letter and company rules carefully, and if necessary, seek legal advice, especially in small proprietorship firms where formal service rules might be less common.