If an unexpected tragedy occurs in your life, your workplace may have leave policies in place to protect you. In most cases, employers provide a leave of absence (LOA) so that you can tend to the situation, whether for yourself or a loved one.
Not all types of leave are the same, so we're here to help you understand the different scenarios where someone might take a leave. The most important distinctions are between mandatory, voluntary, paid, and unpaid leave of absence. We'll dive into these types, some examples of each, and any other essential things you need to know.
A leave of absence is when an employee can guarantee their employer an extended period off of work. This period enables them to handle any significant personal events. It's up to the employee's superior to determine whether it will be a paid or unpaid leave.
Just like sick days are different from vacation days, there are different types of leaves of absence. Leave of absence supports employees when their other benefits (sick leave, paid vacation, paid holiday, paid time off) won't cover them.
Below we've listed four main categories with some examples to help distinguish some key differences:
Federal law enforces mandatory leave. Whether it's paid or unpaid is another story, but the leave will be granted for the following reasons:
This type of leave can mean you're still entitled to an LOA. A company's policy will determine whether the following reasons for leave will be compensated:
Most employers offer some paid leave to help provide some financial stability to eligible employees during what is understandably a difficult period.
It's common for employers to set some paid hours towards any personal reasons for leave. The other option is that an employer will allow employees to accrue paid leave over time as they work more days and hours.
Since every company is different, it can be helpful to explore this topic early with human resources or by reading about the policies in the employee handbook.
While unpaid leave offers financial compensation during the leave of absence, it does ensure their health care plan continues and that when they return to work, their vacation time remains intact.
If your employer is covered under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the act deems your purpose for leave valid, it can mean you're entitled to job protection. Sometimes, an employer will allow you to apply vacation days to your unpaid leave to receive compensation (at least partially), but it is a case-by-case scenario.
Some reasons covered employees might be granted unpaid leave under FMLA:
During an uncertain period, it's normal to have questions about a policy that provides such a crucial safety net. Here are the answers to some common questions that come up.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can receive up to 12 workweeks of leave. To be eligible, you must have:
See all the forms at-a-glance in this FMLA forms article. You will find all the FMLA forms on the Department of Labor's website.
Your best point of contact would be your human resources team.
For specific medical conditions, taking FMLA leave intermittently can make sense.
If the leave is for a planned medical procedure, the employee should make arrangements that consider the employer's operation where possible.
Employers may request certification from a medical professional and must provide you with 15 days to acquire it.
You are not obligated to share personal medical records or documents with your employer.
No. According to the FMLA, the employer must hold the same job or one practically identical open for the employer upon your return to work.
Identical means:
Absolutely. Employees with medical certifications can apply for FMLA leave to cover the required overtime hours.
Whether it's to manage your own personal health situation or to care for a loved one, there are various types of leave of absence put in place to protect you — many of which we've covered today.
If you're an employer who is managing FMLA or other types of leave, check out our guide to elevating leave of absence management. Digitizing your process could help you avoid unnecessary expenses, ensure productivity, and help your employees when they need it the most.