What are the different types of medical leaves employees can take?

1 FMLA Leave

FMLA stands for Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal law that grants eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for certain family and medical reasons. Some of these reasons include the birth or adoption of a child, the serious health condition of the employee or a close family member, or the military deployment or injury of a spouse, child, or parent. To qualify for FMLA leave, employees must work for a covered employer, have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months, and have a valid reason for the leave.

2 ADA Leave

ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in various aspects of life, including employment. Under the ADA, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the business. One of these accommodations could be a leave of absence, if the employee needs it to recover from a disability-related condition or to receive treatment. The duration and frequency of ADA leave depends on the individual circumstances of the employee and the employer.

4 Personal Medical Leave

Personal medical leave is a type of leave that an employee may request for their own health reasons, such as a surgery, a chronic condition, or a mental health issue. Personal medical leave may or may not be covered by the employer's policies or by any laws. Some employers may offer paid or unpaid personal medical leave as part of their benefits package, while others may not. Employees should check with their human resources department or their employee handbook to find out the terms and conditions of personal medical leave.

5 Maternity/Paternity Leave

Maternity and paternity leave are types of leave that allow parents to take time off work to care for their newborn or newly adopted children. Maternity leave is typically for mothers who give birth, while paternity leave is for fathers or partners who support them. The availability and duration of maternity and paternity leave depend on the employer's policies and the laws of the country or state. Some countries have generous parental leave policies that grant paid leave for several months, while others have minimal or no parental leave at all.

6 Sick Leave

Sick leave is a type of leave that employees can use when they are ill or need to see a doctor or dentist. Sick leave is usually paid and accrues based on the number of hours worked or the length of service. Sick leave can be used for minor or short-term health issues, such as a cold, a flu, or a headache. Employees are usually expected to notify their managers or supervisors when they take sick leave and provide a doctor's note if required. Sick leave is different from other types of medical leave, as it does not require a serious or long-term condition or a formal request.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?