(c)"Continuous service" means the period of service during which an employee is in service without interruption including service which may be interrupted on account of sickness, accident, leave, absence from duty without leave (not being absence in respect of which an order treating the absence or break in service has been passed in accordance with the standing orders, rules or regulations governing the employees of the establishment) lay-off strike or a lock-out or cessation of work not due to any fault of the employees whether such uninterrupted or interrupted service was rendered before or after the commencement of this Act.
