Leave Of Absence | Meaning and Definition

What is a Leave of Absence?

A leave of absence is a period away from work, typically for medical reasons. However, sometimes people take leaves of absence for other reasons, such as traveling or taking care of personal matters. If you’re considering taking a leave of absence, it’s important to first talk to your employer about their policies. They may have specific requirements that you need to meet to be eligible for a leave. 

Generally speaking, though, a leave of absence is a period away from your normal duties during which you are still considered an employee. This means that you typically maintain your benefits and health insurance during a leave of absence, and you generally don’t accrue vacation time while on leave.

Leave of Absence Examples

There are a few different types of mandatory leave of absence, but one of the most common is when an employee has to leave due to illness or injury. In many organizations, there is a policy in place that requires employees to provide a doctor’s note or other documentation stating that they cannot work to be eligible for paid sick leave. Other types of mandatory leave can include military service, parental leave, and jury duty. 

Importance of leave of absence in an organization

The leave of absence policies in an organization is important for several reasons:

•   They allow employees to take time off from work for personal or medical reasons.
•   Leave of absence policies can help to reduce absenteeism and turnover rates. If employees feel like they have a good balance between work and life outside of work, they are less likely to become burnt out or quit their job.
•   Leave of absence policies can help to improve productivity levels among employees. When employees are given a chance to take breaks from work, they are more productive.