Leave of Absence Letter: What It Is and Qualifying Circumstances

There are more elderly people now than at any time in human history. Thanks to modern medicine, people now expect to live longer, with studies suggesting that by 2030, one in six people will be aged 60 years or over.

Unfortunately, living to a ripe old age presents its own set of challenges, particularly around age-related illnesses and general body weakness. When this happens to a loved one, you may feel obliged to take care of them. And since you’ll want to have a job to return to after caring for your loved one, you'll have to write a leave of absence letter.

If this is your first time hearing about it, you may be wondering what a leave of absence letter is and what it's used for. Read on to find out.

What Is a Leave of Absence?

As the name suggests, a leave of absence is a situation whereby someone takes time away from work due to a major event in their life or some other unforeseen circumstance. This time off from work ultimately comes down to the nature of the event, but the general consensus is that you'll return to your job later.

So, what is a leave of absence letter used for? Well, you can't just leave work without notice and expect them to take you back when you return, no questions asked. Therefore, a leave of absence letter is intended to request authorization from your employer for an extended period away from work.

Types of Leave

There are two common types of leave of absence: voluntary and mandatory.

● Voluntary Leave

As the name suggests, voluntary leave is employee-requested time off. It is not covered under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and, thus, is left to the employer's discretion. As such, your employer has the right to deny any voluntary leave requests that don't align with company policy.

Therefore, it is advisable to read through your employer's company policies and employee handbooks to familiarize yourself with the company's voluntary leave guidelines.

● Mandatory Leave

Mandatory leave is a federally-backed employee benefit governed by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the FMLA, all employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of leave without pay.

After the leave, your employer is obligated to restore you to your former position or assign you an equivalent role.

That said, note that some states have varying mandatory leave requirements. In some places, your employer may be required to provide leave under collective bargaining agreements with your union.

In What Circumstances Can You Use a Leave of Absence Letter?

If you've been employed by a covered employer for at least 12 months and worked at least 1,250 hours before requesting a leave, you're entitled to request a leave of absence for the following circumstances:

●Family emergencies

●Serious health conditions

●Medical appointments

●Birth of a baby

●Taking care of an immediate family member

●Religious reasons

Is It Mandatory to Write a Leave of Absence Letter?

A leave of absence letter is your gateway to time away from work whenever you need to handle emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances. While the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) mandates employers to provide at least 12 weeks of unpaid leave to qualifying employees, it leaves voluntary leave at the employer's discretion, which means they can decline requests that don't follow company policy.

Therefore, you should review your employer's company policies and employee handbook to assess whether you qualify for time off to care for your elderly or sick loved ones.