Leaves of Absence

A leave of absence from work usually occurs for reasons of health, pregnancy, discipline or a sabbatical offered by the employer. Leave of absence can be offered with full pay, partial pay or no pay. Leave should have either a termination date or be tied to a predictable event. The only leaves that are mandatory: Pregnancy, family leave in certain circumstances, military leave and jury duty.

With the exception of mandated leaves stated above, leaves of absence are determined by the employer. The employer is not required to pay the employee’s salary or benefits under either mandated or not-mandated leaves but generally is required to retain the employee’s job in mandated leave so long as certain conditions are met. Employers may, however, offer employees leaves of absence with full or partial pay.