What is a leave of absence?

There are two kinds of leave of absence, protected leave of absence and voluntary leave of absence.

Protected leave vs. voluntary leave 

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal law, employees are guaranteed the ability to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid time off for childbirth or adoption, military leave, the employee’s own serious medical condition, caring for an ill family member, and jury duty. Some states may have different requirements employers must abide by. 

Voluntary leave is often offered to employees as a perk, allowing employees to take off time for bereavement leave, sabbatical, paid parental leave, and for education or additional training. Companies that offer voluntary leave frequently include the circumstances of when employees can use this policy in the employee handbook. 

Is a leave of absence paid? 

Whether a leave of absence is paid or unpaid depends on whether it’s a protected leave or voluntary leave. Protected leave is unpaid. Voluntary leave may be paid or unpaid depending on the employer. 

How to take a leave of absence from work? 

The process for requesting a leave of absence may vary from employer to employer. However, employees should make their initial request as early as possible. Employees should also familiarize themselves with their company’s policies and their legal rights to time off. Before taking time off, they should ensure their request has been submitted and approved in writing.

Can you extend a leave of absence? 

If an employee is requesting an extension for leave covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act, an extension may be granted under specific circumstances. Some states may also have their own specifications or programs as well. For voluntary leave, whether or not a request to extend leave is approved is up to the employer’s discretion.