How to Get A Leave of Absence from Work

I’ll never forget the day I got notification that my leave of absence was approved. I received the letter in the mail, opened it, and quickly read the following sentence: “Your leave of absence has been APPROVED starting April 1st, 2016 until March 31st, 2017.” I had a whole year to do whatever I wanted. No boss to answer to, no adult responsibilities.

The stipulations for my leave of absence were very clear. My benefits were suspended starting on April 1st, and I had to return to work by March 31st. Upon my return, the company would try to place me in the same or a similar position as when I left.

The approval of my leave of absence removed a big worry from my mind, and that’s key if you want the feelings of freedom that I experienced. That’s why I highly recommend getting a leave of absence from work as opposed to quitting.

Let’s dive into the specifics of a formal leave of absence, then I’ll go through my top tips for getting your leave approved.

First of all, what is a leave of absence?

A leave of absence is when an employer allows an employee to take extended time off work without losing their job.

What are some examples of a leave of absence? Maternity or paternity leave, family medical leave, personal medical leave, and personal leave of absence. Some of these leaves of absence are protected by law (FMLA). Others are company specific. It’s important to do as much research as possible on your employer’s benefits and policies website to determine what’s possible.

Why is it important to get a leave of absence as opposed to just quitting?

A Year Off creates some financial uncertainties and risks. Your income stream runs dry, so you’re living off the money you saved. If you don’t go back to work, eventually that money runs out and you’re broke. If you already have a job lined up for when you return, then you reduce the risk of running out of money.

A leave of absence also gives you peace of mind. It relieves some mental pressure that can interfere with your concentration on your bigger Year Off dreams.

What if I can’t get a leave of absence?

The only other option is to quit your job. There’s no way around it.

Negotiate the best you can with your employer, but if they aren’t having it, then you just have to quit. You’ll have to hope that they rehire you when you return, or you’ll have to find a completely new job.

What is the process for getting a leave of absence approved?

First, do extensive research within your company to find out if there is a leave of absence policy. Look for something like an unpaid personal leave of absence. See if there’s a form to fill out. Talk to people in your HR department if you have to.

Eventually, you’ll need to confront your boss about your leave. It’s likely to be a negotiation so have your reasons for wanting a leave of absence ready. Focus on areas where you want to improve and that will make you a more valuable employee. If you are burnt out with your job, tell your boss.

Several people within the organization may need to sign off on your leave. For example, my leave required a signature from three different people: my direct boss, my district supervisor, and someone within the leaves department. If you work for a smaller company, you may only need the approval of your direct boss or the CEO.

Follow the chain of command when approaching people about your leave. Don’t go over your immediate boss to the CEO or the leaves department to get your leave approved. Approach your immediate boss first, even in the early planning stages, then work your way up the chain of command to get all the necessary approvals.

What are the main goals with your leave of absence approval?

The main goal is to get a guarantee that you will have a job when you return from your sabbatical. Secondary goals are to keep your seniority and to return to the same position with the same pay and benefits.

Goals that are probably impossible are partial pay while you are gone (unless you utilize PTO or vacation days) and the continuation of subsidized health insurance. Plan on no income during your leave and paying full price for your health insurance (if you decide to continue it).

What are my top tips for getting your leave of absence approved?

1. Work your ass off.

From the very beginning of your career, do everything your employer asks of you. Show up early and leave late. Take care of your health and never call in sick. Volunteer for shifts or projects that no one else wants. Be the best damn employee that your employer has.

Take your performance reviews seriously. This is the best feedback about your performance that your boss will give you. Ask questions during the review about how you can improve and then act on your boss’s suggestions. Leave no doubt in your boss’s mind that you are one of his/her best employees.

2. Work for several years before asking for a leave.

It’s likely you’ll need to work for several (if not many) years before asking for a leave of absence. You’ll need to pay off debt, get a good start on your retirement savings, and save the money for your career break.

But if you have no debt after college or pay it off quickly, it’s still best to work for several years to gain experience and to build your resume. The more experience and skills you have, the more valuable you are to your company. And the more valuable you are, the more likely your employer will approve your leave of absence.

3. Get creative and give your employer options.

Save up your PTO or vacation days and ask to use them all at once for a shorter career break. Offer to start your leave during non-busy seasons at your job. Negotiate the length of your break, and if your employer balks at a full year, ask for only 9 months instead. If your boss has suggestions for how he/she would like the leave to happen, then listen to them carefully and take the suggestions seriously.

4. Give your employer plenty of advanced notice.

Begin the conversation with your boss or HR department at least 3 months before you want to start your sabbatical. This gives them time to think about it and figure out a way to cover your job while you are away. If you spring this on them two weeks before you booked a flight out of the country, do not expect to have a job with the same company when you return.

5. Be as up-front and honest with them as possible.

Do not lie about what you want to do during your Year Off. Tell them exactly what it is you want to accomplish while gone and your reasons for doing it. If it’s because of job burn-out, explain that to them. You may not have all the specifics of your leave figured out, especially in the early stages of the negotiating, but share the specifics with your boss as soon as possible.

6. Focus on the positives and make it a win-win situation for both you and your employer.

Tell your boss how you think your skills will improve during your break. Tell them you need to clear mental space, and tell them how you will return to work completely refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges. Stress the positives that you think will happen as a result of your sabbatical.

When you’re away, plan on doing volunteer work that will improve your job skills. Attend seminars or skill improvement sessions and read as much as you can during downtime. Get a new certification that will make you more valuable to your company. And make sure to tell your employer about all this during the leave negotiation process.

7. Utilize any existing leave of absence options.

Many large companies will have a formal process for a leave of absence. They will have forms to fill out and a formal review process. Utilize these already existing options to get your leave of absence approved. Do extensive research ahead of time on your employer’s HR website and find out what options they have. It’s best to do it the way your employer wants to do it, not the way you feel is best.

The formal process will also give you written guidance on your leave of absence and what it means for you and your options upon returning to work. It’s best to have all that figured out ahead of time so you don’t need to worry about it when you return home.

8. Do not threaten your employer with quitting to get your leave approved.

No one likes a threat, especially from an employee. Do not say that you will quit your job if you do not get the leave approved. Go into the talks with your boss with an open mind and try to create a situation that benefits both you and your company.

9. Work for a large corporation

A large corporation has many employees who can step up and cover your work while you are gone. They are also more likely to have a formal leave of absence policy. If possible, start your career in a big organization to increase your likelihood of your leave being approved.

Once again, a leave of absence is way better than just quitting your job.

Do the hard work ahead of time to get a leave approved. This will clear your mind of the big worry of finding work when you return. And it will allow those feelings of complete freedom to run wild while you are out chasing your dreams.