Everyone who works wants a time of rest and refreshing asides from the weekends. This has led to what we call a leave of absence from work. It allows the employee to be off work for some time, either for vacation or for settling some things individually. Work leave comes in different ways, and must be attached to a reason before it can be granted.
Here at the hub for jobs we are devoted to giving you amazing write-ups for your career. In this article, we will be checking the meaning, how to apply for leave, and the types of leave from work that we have. In addition, we will add everything you need to know about.
What is a leave of absence?
This is permission given to an employee by an employer to be off work for some time. It can be voluntary, mandatory, can be paid, or unpaid leave. It is requested of the employee be granted some moments of work to cover some special circumstances that are happening in the worker’s life. The unpaid leave is not always covered under the benefits for such employees. Benefits such as sick leave, paid vacations, paid time off, and paid holidays.
It also does not provide wages to the worker during the time they are away from work. For instance, you have an ailing family and the ailment finally took the person away. Since you could not find your way there during the ailing period, you can be granted a leave to mourn your person and also attend the funeral.
Also, if you just have a new baby, under the Family and Medical Leave Act, FMLA. Your job is protected for 12 weeks after the birth of the baby. Your employer is not expected to pay you for those periods. You are permitted to ask for a leave of absence if you want to stay with your child for that period.
Types of work leave
There are different types of leave of absence that you can apply for in your workplace, and they are:
Voluntary leave: this type of leave involves the employer’s decision. This leave doesn’t offer the same benefit as FMLA. The requirements and guidelines should be in the worker’s handbook of the company.
Mandatory leave: this is overseen by the Federal level of the country and the Family Medical Leave Act FMLA. Under the FMLA, workers are given the opportunity of 12 weeks off work without pay. After their leave, they are restored to their former position or an equivalent role. The requirements for this are different in several states or countries.
Other types of leave of absence are:
Bereavement leave
This talks about paid leave when an employee loses a loved one or a family member. Most firms allow their workers to have a break from work to make preparations for the burial and also recover from the loss. The standard amount of time for bereavement leave is 3 – 7 days.
Maternal leave:
Maternity leave happens when a female worker is allowed to leave work for the sake of her new birth. Also, it can include a time away even when you are still pregnant. Before the time you give birth, you can be told to reduce your task, or better still change responsibilities for the sake of your health and your baby. Employees are entitled to receive 17 weeks of maternity leave. You can decide to take unpaid leave in the period which begins 13 weeks before the expected date of giving birth. The leaves end 17 weeks after giving birth. But as a pregnant worker, you are not permitted to ask for maternity leave except if it is needed.
Parental leave:
This is an unpaid leave of absence that covers up to 63 weeks. This is given when your child is born, or the day an adopted child comes into your care. In this case, your employer is expected to have a notice of 4 weeks before you can take the parental leave.
Medical leave:
An unpaid leave that can grant you about 17 – 37 weeks if any family member becomes critically ill. This leave is different according to states and countries. Refer to the worker’s handbook to know more about your company’s leave policy.
Jury duty leaves:
You are entitled to this leave of absence when the employee is summoned to court for jury duty. The worker receives this unpaid leave. Either you are the juror, the jury candidate, or a witness in the court of law. The proceedings determine the length of leave to be given.
Compassionate care leave:
Workers get this unpaid leave to take care of their family members. Who needs urgent attention and care based on health reasons. The period differs with different companies and states. It is a standard lifestyle to write to your boss about such a leave of absence from work.
What are paid and unpaid leaves?
The leave of absence can either be paid depending on the type of leaves, as discussed above.
A paid leave
This granted absence from work still allows you to get your regular payment. It is not a compulsory thing that you should be paid for. But your employer can decide to pay for staying off work to settle some personal issues. The employers do this so that the employee can be financially stable during the days he or she is off work. To understand how this work more, check your company’s worker handbook.
The Unpaid leave
This is the period when your employer grants you time to stay off work without providing any payment. If your leave of absence is compulsory then your boss will grant you some days off without any compensation. This will still guarantee your position when you are back. You are still entitled to some employee benefits like health insurance coverage. Some bosses allow you to get your accrued vacation time towards your leave. If you still need more vacation periods and your leave has run out, you will still be unpaid.
What makes you qualify for FMLA?
For you to qualify for the FMLA leave, the employee must be employed by a covered boss, for at least 12 months. It does not have to be consecutive, but for 1250 hours during the 12 months before your leave. This must have been your experience before applying for a leave of absence:
- Military caregiver leave
- Military qualifying exigency
- Birth of a baby
- Placement of a child for adoption or foster care
- Caring for an ailed immediate family member
- Serious health conditions
Who is a covered employer?
A covered employer is an FMLA employer of the private sector that has over 50 workers within a 75-mile radius for more work weeks in the present or coming calendar year. The FMLA also works not minding the number of workers, all public agencies, and local educational agencies.
How does a Leave of absence work?
When you request for leave of absence, you can give your employer as much notice as possible. This will help them plan quickly what they can do, someone that can fit into your position before you are back. Make sure, you don’t take time in notifying your boss for proper planning for the company.
You can also ask for an unpaid leave politely, with an explanation about why you need the leave, and also when you will be back. It is ideal to meet with your boss face to face, follow up with writing, and be sure it is confirmed before you go on leave.
How to take a leave of absence from work
Follow the tips below to get your leave of absence from work:
Conclude the type of leave you want:
When the reason for you to get a leave surfaces to ensure you know the type of leave of absence to take. Immediately you know what you want, and this will help you know how long you will be gone. For instance, if you notice you are pregnant, plan to take maternity leave starting from week 1 till your EDD and 16 weeks after the baby is born. This makes all 17 weeks in total.
Inform your employer
Once you know the type of leave you want, and when you will be going. Do well to inform your husband on time. Alerting them on time will help your employer take the necessary precautions so that your absence won’t be thoroughly felt. It may not be necessary to tell your boss, the reason for your leave of absence, but it is important you inform your boss ahead. You will do so much good to your company by telling the company ahead of time.
Give out the necessary information
At this point, you have to let them have a brief of what your leave is all about. Also, when you will be back. This will help the records of your company and also clear any form of confusion. If it is a court summons, let your employer know, just make sure you don’t hide any information.
Let your colleagues be aware
Leave of absence should not only be for your employer. Let your coworkers know, so that anyone who is to take your place, will start preparing ahead of time. If you operate in a team, they all must know about it. So that your place won’t be void, and any project won’t be put to a halt because of your absence. For instance, you are the sales manager and you run about 30 accounts. During your leave, your teammates can share the accounts and manage them till you come. You can also inform different clients of the next person that will take over for the main time during your absence.
Inform your boss, if anything changes later
This is very important. As much as you have given all your information to your employer. If anything happens later, do well to inform your employer. This will help them know if you will be back for the time you said earlier. Also, if it will be something they need to interfere into. So make sure you inform them if anything comes up. Just keep your employer updated on the happenings.
Frequently asked questions on work leave.
Can leave of absence be extended?
Some cases can push you to seek an extension of your leave. Especially if it is a medical situation that needs more time. It now depends if the employer is willing to grant your request for an extension.
How long should you be gone on leave?
This depends on the type of leave you want. Under FMLA, as an employee, you are qualified for 12 weeks work leave of unpaid and job-protected leave.
Should I sack an employee who keeps attempting to prolong their work leave?
Some employees will certainly want to keep prolonging their leave period with different excuses. Because you are a human, you can be provoked and want to sack such a fellow. Under certain circumstances, employers can decide to fire a worker on FMLA leave if the termination is not related to the leave. Legal counsel should be informed in such cases, to reduce risk and also to ensure applicable laws are followed.
Final words on Leave of Absence from work
When you are planning a leave of absence, always remember that don’t need to keep anything away from your employee. This will help the company to prepare for your absence and find a way to fit in when you’re gone on leave.
Also, make sure you know the type of work leave you want. This has to be indicated in your writings, which you will submit to your employer. Do not forget that, the leave requirements and how it works differs in different organizations. Refer to the worker’s manual to know more about your company.
For more career tips, you can check HERE. If you need some articles on salaries, check HERE. We have so many job updates, that you can check HERE as well.
