Leave of Absence

What is a Leave of Absence?

A leave of absence is an approved period of time away from work, after which the employee is expected to return to their job. It’s longer than a typical vacation or sick day, and it can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a year or more. During the leave, the employee stays employed, though they may not be paid.

Some leaves are required by law, such as medical or family leave for eligible employees. Others are voluntary and granted at the employer’s discretion, like a sabbatical or a personal leave. Most companies set out their leave rules in their employee handbook.

What are the types of leave of absence?

• Medical leave: time off for an employee’s own serious health condition, surgery, or recovery. See Medical Leave Coverage.
• Parental and family leave: time to care for a new child or a family member with a serious health condition. See Parental Leave Coverage.
• Sabbatical: an extended break, often for rest, study, or a personal project, usually offered after several years of service. See sabbatical.
• Personal leave: unpaid time off for reasons such as caregiving, relocation, or a personal matter.
• Military leave: time away for military service, which is protected by law in many countries.
• Bereavement leave: time off after the death of a family member.

Is a leave of absence paid?

It depends on the type of leave, the law where the employee works, and the employer’s own policy. Many countries guarantee some form of paid or job-protected leave, especially for parental and medical reasons, but the length and pay vary widely from one country, state, or province to the next. Beyond what the law requires, many employers offer paid parental leave or sabbaticals as an employee benefit.

Because the rules differ so much by location, check the labor law requirements wherever your team members are based before setting a policy.

How long is a leave of absence?

There’s no single standard length. Legally protected leaves are often set at a fixed number of weeks or months, depending on the country. Sabbaticals often last one to six months, and medical leaves can be extended if recovery takes longer than expected. Agree on an expected return date at the start, and plan for that date to move.

How do you cover a role during a leave of absence?

The work doesn’t stop while your team member is away. Most teams either spread it across colleagues for short leaves or bring in a temporary backfill for longer ones. A backfill, often a contingent worker brought in for the length of the leave, keeps work moving without burning out the rest of the team, and hands the role back when the employee returns.

Persona’s Leave of Absence Coverage matches you with vetted remote talent for sabbaticals, personal leave, and other extended absences. For shorter time off, see Vacation & PTO Coverage.

Dos and Don’ts of Managing a Leave of Absence

Dos

• Put your leave policy in writing and apply it consistently
• Confirm the type of leave, its expected length, and any legal protections that apply
• Document the employee’s responsibilities and hand them off before the leave starts
• Agree on whether, and how, you’ll stay in touch during the leave
• Plan the employee’s return, including a catch-up on what changed

Don’ts

• Don’t ask for more medical detail than the law allows
• Don’t let the employee’s work pile up untouched until they return
• Don’t contact the employee about routine work while they’re on leave
• Don’t treat taking a protected leave as a reason for discipline or a performance concern
• Don’t assume the return date is fixed; plan for extensions