Types of Employee Leave
Complete guide to all types of employee leave, from family and medical leave to sick days and civic duties. Understand requirements and best practices.
Family & Medical Leave
Maternity Leave
Leave for birth mothers before and after childbirth
Paternity Leave
Leave for fathers and non-birthing parents after childbirth or adoption
Parental Leave
Gender-neutral leave for all parents after birth or adoption
FMLA Leave
Federal job-protected leave for family and medical reasons
Other Leave Types
Sick Leave
Leave for personal illness, medical appointments, and recovery
Learn more →Bereavement Leave
Leave following the death of a family member or loved one
Learn more →Jury Duty Leave
Leave for employees summoned to serve on a jury
Learn more →Voting Leave
Leave for employees to vote in elections
Learn more →Military Leave
Leave for military service members and their families
Learn more →Personal Leave
Discretionary leave for personal matters not covered by other leave types
Learn more →Short-Term Disability
Wage replacement for temporary medical conditions
Learn more →Domestic Violence Leave
Leave for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
Learn more →Leave Types at a Glance
| Leave Type | Typical Duration | Federal Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 🤰Maternity Leave | 6-12 weeks, though some employers offer up to 16-20 weeks | FMLA provides 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for el... |
| 👨👧Paternity Leave | 1-12 weeks, with growing trend toward 4-8 weeks | FMLA provides 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for el... |
| 👨👩👧Parental Leave | 4-16 weeks, with best-in-class employers offering up to 20-26 weeks | FMLA provides 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for bo... |
| ⚖️FMLA Leave | 12 weeks per 12-month period (26 weeks for military caregiver leave) | FMLA is federal law. Covered employers must provide 12 weeks... |
| 🤒Sick Leave | 5-10 days per year, or accrual-based (1 hour per 30-40 hours worked) | No federal paid sick leave requirement for private employers... |
| 🕯️Bereavement Leave | 3-5 days for immediate family, 1-3 days for extended family | No federal bereavement leave requirement for private employe... |
| ⚖️Jury Duty Leave | Duration of jury service (typically 1-5 days, but can extend for lengthy trials) | Federal law (Jury System Improvements Act) prohibits employe... |
| 🗳️Voting Leave | 1-3 hours, or sufficient time to vote | No federal voting leave requirement for private employers. F... |
| 🎖️Military Leave | Varies based on type of service - from a few days for training to years for active duty deployment | USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Right... |
| 🧘Personal Leave | 2-5 personal days per year | No federal requirement for personal leave. However, employer... |
| 🏥Short-Term Disability | 13-26 weeks, after waiting period of 0-14 days | No federal short-term disability requirement. ADA requires r... |
| 🛡️Domestic Violence Leave | 3-15 days, depending on state | No specific federal domestic violence leave requirement. VAW... |
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