A "leave of absence" is a period during which an employee is allowed to be away from work while still maintaining their job status. This time off can be for various reasons, including personal health issues, family emergencies, or educational pursuits. Employees typically need to request this leave in advance and may need to provide documentation, depending on their employer's policies. There are different types of leaves of absence, such as medical leave, family leave, or educational leave. Each type has specific eligibility criteria and duration limits. Employers often have guidelines in place to ensure that both the employee's needs and the organization's operations are balanced during the absence.