Considering Taking a Leave of Absence? Read This First!
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. It also requires that their group health benefits be maintained during the leave.
Source: U.S Department of Labor
From medical situations to family emergencies, there are a lot of different reasons why someone might need to take time off from work.
A leave of absence is a period of time an employee takes from her job while still keeping her current title and position from the moment she goes on leave until she returns.
Some of the most common reasons why people take a leave of absence include and are not limited to:
Maternity Leave
Family Leave
Medical/Sick Leave
Bereavement Leave
Religious Leave
Even though requesting a leave of absence is more common than you think, it is not always an easy conversation to have. If the thought of having this conversation is making you nervous, don’t worry! We have put together a list of tips you can follow to help you prepare so you can feel more comfortable.
Do some research on your company policies prior to requesting your leave and become familiar with your rights under the law.
Think ahead on what your next move will be should your request be rejected. What will you do if your employer/boss says no?
Know your rights: do you qualify for FMLA, short-term disability, or anything else offered by the state or your employer benefits.
Make sure you request your leave of absence with adequate time in advance so your employer/boss can plan for the time you will be on leave.
Leave on good standing and good terms.
If possible, work out a check-in schedule so you can communicate with your boss a few times through out your leave. Some people recommend doing 2- one in the middle of your leave and one the day before going back to work.
Make sure you have everything in writing prior to meeting with your boss so you don’t miss anything. Even if you work for a small company that you trust, it is recommended that you keep everything in writing just in case.
Always meet with your boss in person and during a time when he/she and you are not swamped with work and/or upcoming deadlines.
Going back to #2… make sure you are prepared in case your request is rejected. Is there anyone else you can talk to? Will you consider taking a partial leave if that’s all they can offer or taking vacation days and PTO instead? Be prepared with a counter offer you feel comfortable with.
Do not stress over this. No matter what your situation may be, we all deserve some time off. Just remember to do your research, plan ahead, and know your rights.
Good luck!
