For questions about formal time off while still employed, including paid leave, unpaid leave, medical leave, and parental leave
Leave is time formally taken away from work while still employed. A leave period could be very short (e.g., taking a day off as paid leave) or for an extended period (frequently call a leave of absence, e.g., taking a year off as unpaid leave for an extended vacation).
Many localities have laws specific to different categories of leave and your company may treat different circumstances with specific policies. Common categories of leave include:
- Paid time off: A benefit provided by the employer (often required by law) that allows employees to take time off of work while continuing to earn income and benefits.
- Unpaid leave: Time an employer allows an employee to take away from work without compensation but with a guarantee or promise that then employee can resume work at the end of the absence.
- Parental leave: Paid or unpaid time off offered to new parents (frequently required by law).
Issues relevant to leave
Employees, managers, and business owners face frequent challenges related to leave in the workplace. E.g.:
- How to appropriately request leave
- Expectations of employees on leave
- Identifying abuse of a leave policy or disciplining employees that inappropriately make use of leave
- Appropriate activities to pursue on leave (e.g., taking a second job)]
You should consider using a different tag if your question is about:
- Terminating your employment (e.g., leaving your employer), use termination
- Your working hours or expectations about being physically present at work (e.g., leaving work if there is nothing to do), use hours
Related tags
Outside resources
US DOL Leave Benefits - The U.S. Department of Labor's website with resources about understanding leave benefits and what your employer is required to provide. UK Holidays and Time Off - The U.K.'s website with resources about holidays and leave benefits and benefit entitlements.
