Leave of Absence (LOA)
Definition
A period when an employee is away from work with or without job protection.
What is a Leave of Absence?
LOA refers to any time an employee is officially away from work due to medical, personal, or family reasons. It includes FMLA, ADA-related leave, paid family leave, and company-specific policies.
Why is LOA Important for Employers?
Managing LOA supports compliance and employee well-being. Employers must be aware of how various regulations and policies interact, including:
- FMLA (federal)
- State paid leave laws
- ADA-related accommodations
- Workers’ comp integration
FAQs
What types of leave qualify as a leave of absence?
Leaves can include medical leave (e.g., FMLA), parental leave, military leave, personal leave, bereavement, or jury duty—some required by law, others discretionary.
Is a leave of absence always paid?
No. Some leaves are unpaid unless otherwise covered by company policy, state law (e.g., paid family leave), or short-term disability benefits.
Can an employee be terminated while on a leave of absence?
Not if the leave is protected under laws like FMLA or ADA, unless there’s a legitimate, unrelated business reason that complies with applicable laws.
How ExtensisHR Can Help
We manage leave compliance and administration by:
- Monitoring employee eligibility and maintaining required documentation
- Coordinating leave programs across federal (e.g., FMLA) and state-specific regulations
- Giving clear, compliant leave of absence policies and training for managers
- Supporting the ADA interactive process to help identify reasonable accommodations