What is a leave of absence from work?

A leave of absence from work is time an employee takes off from work, often in response to an out-of-the-ordinary instance being experienced by the employee. Leaves of absence allow a person to have time off from their work, with a guarantee that their job is still there for them when they are able to return.

Common reasons for leaves of absence are childbirth, adoption, taking care of an ill family member, serious sickness or health conditions, or military leave. Leaves of absence may be paid or unpaid, depending on the length and reason. There are some government programs, such as FMLA, that provide paychecks during certain leaves.