What is Leave of Absence (LOA)
A leave of absence allows employees to take an extended period of time off from work. During this period the employee may or may not continue to receive paychecks and employee benefits depending on the employer’s policies and the federal and state laws.
A leave of absence is considered an exceptional circumstance and requires special approval. This makes it different from normal periods away from work, such as paid holidays, vacations, sabbaticals, and work-from-home programs.
Types Of Leave Of Absence
Protected leave of absences: There are certain types of leave of absence that are protected under federal law such as jury duty and maternity leave. Before asking your company to take a leave of absence it’s important to understand your rights.
Mandatory Leaves of Absence: Mandatory leaves of absence are governed by federal and state laws and include:
- Medical absences that fall under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Accommodations related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Military leave
- Jury duty
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Voluntary Leaves of Absence: Voluntary leaves of absence, on the other hand, are a courtesy granted through company policy or secured through collective bargaining with a labor union. This includes cases where an employer grants an extended leave after the employee has exhausted their mandatory LOA.
What Kinds Of Things Can I Take a Leave Of Absence For?
Leave of absence can be taken for the following reasons:
- Maternity leave
- Pregnancy disability
- Your own serious health condition
- Disability leave
- A child, parent, or other family member’s serious health condition
- Military service
- Jury duty
- Witness testimony
- Volunteer firefighter/reserve police officer/emergency rescue personnel service
- Alcohol and drug rehabilitation
- Voting
- Activities attributable to being a victim of domestic violence
- Activities attributable to being a crime victim
- Organ and bone marrow donation
Eligible Reasons For A Leave Under The FMLA (Family and Medical Health Act)
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 is a labor law requiring covered employers to provide employees with unpaid leave for qualifying medical or family reasons. A leave of absence does not generally include pay, but it does guarantee that someone can return to work without penalty. Under FMLA guidelines, people can take continuous leave, intermittent leave or reduce their work schedule.
Eligible reasons to take FMLA include:
- Providing infant care following the birth of a child
- Providing child care after adopting or fostering a child
- Receiving medical treatment
- Providing care for a family member
-
Seeking personal or social services
Information To Include In A Formal Leave Of Absence Request Letter
Once you have met with your manager or representative, create a formal leave request. Include this information in a formal leave of absence letter:
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- The reason for the requested leave
- The date when you will start the leave and the date you plan to return
- A list of job-related responsibilities you will help with to prepare for your departure, such as training or cross-training, documentation of job directions/instructions
- A request asking your supervisor or manager for their support through the leave of absence process with upper management or personnel in human resources, if applicable
- A professional closing of the letter on a positive note such as, ‘thank you for your time in this matter’ or ‘thank you for considering my request for a leave’
