Legal Definitions - L.W.O.P.

Definition: L.W.O.P. stands for leave without pay and is when an employee takes a temporary break from work without getting paid. This can happen when someone needs to take care of a family member or has a medical issue that requires time off. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees are allowed up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave during any twelve month period for specific family and medical needs.

Another meaning of L.W.O.P. is life without parole. This is a type of prison sentence given to someone who has been convicted of a serious crime and must stay in prison for the rest of their life. They cannot be released early on parole. In states where the death penalty is not allowed, this is the most severe sentence that can be given.

Examples:

• An employee takes L.W.O.P. to care for their newborn baby.
• A person convicted of murder is sentenced to L.W.O.P. instead of the death penalty.

The first example illustrates L.W.O.P. as leave without pay. The employee needs time off to take care of their family and is not getting paid during this time. The second example illustrates L.W.O.P. as life without parole. The person convicted of murder will spend the rest of their life in prison without the possibility of getting out early on parole.