Legal Definitions - leave of absence

A leave of absence is when an employee takes time off from work with the intention of returning. During this time, the employee's salary and seniority are usually not affected.

Examples of reasons for a leave of absence include:

• Medical reasons, such as recovering from surgery or receiving treatment for an illness
• Personal reasons, such as caring for a family member or attending to a personal matter
• Education, such as pursuing a degree or attending a training program

For instance, if an employee needs to take time off to care for a sick family member, they may request a leave of absence from their employer. During this time, they would not receive their regular pay, but their job would be protected and they would be able to return to work once their leave is over.