Types of Leave of Absence from Work 2023
Kinds of Work Leave
There are several types of leave of absence from work, each with its own purpose and benefits.
Medical Leave
Medical leave is taken when an employee needs time off work due to health reasons. It can be a short-term or long-term leave, and may be paid or unpaid depending on the employer’s policy.
In some cases, medical leave may be covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
Family and Medical Leave
Family and medical leave provides employees with job-protected leave for childbirth and other family and medical reasons. Employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12 month period for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, or for their own serious health condition.
Grief absence.
Bereavement leave is granted to employees to allow them to mourn the death of a family member or close friend. The length of the leave may vary depending on the relationship between the employee and the deceased, and is usually paid time off.
Are you feeling overwhelmed with the different types of leaves of absence offered in the workplace? Check out this Youtube video: “The ABCs of Leaves of Absence | Employment Laws” to gain a better understanding of the topic and make informed decisions when it comes to taking leaves.
Voluntary Leave
Leave of absence from work is often categorized into voluntary and involuntary leave. Voluntary leave refers to time off from work that is planned by the employee for various reasons.
Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)
One of the most common types of voluntary leave is paid time off, which includes holidays, vacation, and sick days. These are typically offered as part of an employee’s benefits package, and employees can take this time off as they see fit, so long as they abide by their employer’s guidelines and don’t disrupt the regular flow of work.
Leave without pay.
In the case that an employee needs to take time off but doesn’t have any paid time off left or would like to extend their time off beyond their accrued PTO, they may request an unpaid leave of absence from their employer. In the event that the leave is approved, the employee can take the agreed-upon time off without pay.
Involuntary Leave
Involuntary leave is when an employee is unable to work due to circumstances beyond their control. This can include medical and disability leave, as well as family and caretaking leave.
Medical and Disability Leave
Medical and disability leave is an involuntary leave of absence that is taken when an employee is unable to work due to a health condition or disability. This can include physical or mental health conditions that make it impossible for the employee to do their job.
Employers are required by federal law to provide unpaid medical leave to eligible employees under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Family and Caretaking Leave
Family and caretaking leave is taken to attend to family emergencies or to care for a family member who is sick or in need of assistance. This type of leave is often unpaid, but some employers may provide paid family leave for a certain amount of time.
Eligible employees can also take unpaid leave under the FMLA for qualifying family or medical reasons.
Types of Involuntary Leave
Temporary Involuntary Leave
Temporary Involuntary Leave is taken when an employee is forced by their employer to take a leave of absence from work. This could be due to disciplinary reasons or downsizing.
Permanent Involuntary Leave
Permanent Involuntary Leave is when an employee is terminated from their job because they can no longer fulfill the requirements of their job. This could be due to disability, injury, or sickness.
When it comes to types of leave, they can be further classified into voluntary, involuntary, paid, and unpaid leave. Voluntary leave is when an employee chooses to take time off work, such as going on vacation.
On the other hand, involuntary leave is when an employee can’t work due to medical reasons, a death in the family, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Under involuntary leave, there are two types: temporary and permanent involuntary leave. Temporary Involuntary Leave happens when an employee is forced by their employer to take a leave of absence from work.
This is usually done for disciplinary reasons or downsizing, where the employer seeks to reduce their workforce. The term of the leave is temporary, and the employee may be reinstated afterward if the situation changes.
Permanent Involuntary Leave, on the other hand, is when an employee is terminated from their job because they can no longer fulfill the requirements of their job. This can be due to disability, injury, or sickness, which can make it impossible for the employee to complete their work tasks.
Permanent involuntary leave is often a last resort for the employer, as it can result in legal disputes or other issues.
Employees who have been put on involuntary leave may be eligible for benefits such as severance pay, unemployment insurance, and COBRA health insurance. Employers should provide clear guidelines for employees who are put on involuntary leave, as well as any benefits they may be eligible for.
This can help avoid confusion and maintain a positive relationship between employer and employee.
In summary, involuntary leave can be categorized into temporary and permanent. While involuntary leave is often a challenging situation for both the employer and employee, it’s essential to approach it with empathy and compassion while following company policies and guidelines.
Paid Leave
Paid leave is a type of absence from work where an employee receives their regular pay during the duration of their leave. There are different types of paid leave, but some of the most common ones include sick leave, parental leave, and annual leave or vacation leave.
Sick Leave
Sick Leave is a type of paid leave that is offered by most companies, and it allows employees to take time off from work when they are ill without losing their pay. Sick leave is granted to an employee when they are too sick to work or when they need medical attention.
Depending on the country, an employee is usually entitled to a certain number of paid sick days per year.
Parental Leave
Parental Leave is a type of paid leave that is granted to new parents to take care of their newborn or adopted child. This type of leave could be divided into maternity leave, paternity leave, and shared parental leave.
Maternity leave is specifically granted to female employees who have given birth, while paternity leave is for male employees who are new fathers. Shared parental leave allows both parents to share time off to look after their child.
Other types of paid leave could include public holidays, bereavement leave, and religious observance leave. Annual leave, on the other hand, is not required by federal law in the United States, but most companies do give paid vacation leave to their employees.
It is always best to check with the company’s HR department regarding what types of paid leave are available to employees.
It is important to note that any leave that falls outside the scope of the various types of paid leave, including those mandated by the law, may be required to be taken as unpaid leave.
Unpaid Leave
Unpaid leave is a type of leave from work that is not covered by an employer’s paid time off. Unpaid leave can be granted for various reasons such as personal reasons, family emergencies, or military duties.
The types of unpaid leave that employers are required to provide by law are often referred to as statutory leave.
Bereavement Leave
Bereavement leave is a type of unpaid leave that is granted to employees who need to attend to the funeral or burial of a loved one. Employers are not required by federal law to provide bereavement leave, but many do offer this benefit as part of their company policy.
The length of time for bereavement leave can vary depending on the employer and the relationship with the deceased.
Military Leave
Military leave is a type of unpaid leave that is granted to employees who are members of the military and need to attend to their military duties. Employers are required by law to provide military leave under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
This law protects employees who serve in the military from discrimination and requires employers to reemploy them upon their return. The length of time for military leave can vary depending on the length of service and the type of duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a leave of absence?
How long can an employee take a leave of absence?
Are employees paid during a leave of absence?
Types of Leave of Absence from Work
Leave of absence from work refers to the time an employee takes off from work for various reasons such as a medical emergency, maternity/paternity leave, family emergencies, or personal reasons. The following are different types of leave of absence from work:
1. Annual Leave
Annual leave refers to the time off work granted to employees for vacationing, rest, or personal reasons. It is also known as vacation leave and is commonly given by employers as a paid benefit.
2. Parental Leave
Parental leave is a type of leave granted to parents for the purpose of taking care of their children. Parental leave is commonly separated into maternity leave for mothers and paternity leave for fathers.
Some employers also offer parental leave for adoption or surrogacy.
3. Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
Family and Medical Leave is a type of leave granted to employees under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for taking care of serious illness or injury of the employee or their spouse or children.
