Leave of Absence Policies in Business and Education. Administrative Report / Doug Chafe.

Leave of absence policies in business and education and the rationale for offering these policies are examined. Most businesses and education agencies allow extended personal leaves of absence, which are usually unpaid. Most companies prefer to use general policy statements and to consider each request on an individual basis. According to a survey of 253 personnel executives, purposes for which leaves are granted by a sample of school districts include: military service, paid sabbaticals and other professional study, maternity, exchange teaching abroad and in the United States, service in professional organizations and government, research or travel other than sabbatical, and holding political office. In deciding whether to grant leave, companies weigh the needs of the requestor against the company's needs. In some companies, the employee must show compelling need; in others, it seems that if the company can get along without the employee then the leave should be granted. When time limits are set on the leave, it is most often for a maximum of one year. In both business and education, the rationale for personal leave policies is that it benefits both the employee and the employer. When the employer demonstrates willingness to treat employees well, they respond with increased productivity and loyalty. (SW)

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