garden leave
A period during which an employee who has resigned or been dismissed is paid by the employer but is not required to work, often to prevent them from accessing sensitive information or working for a competitor immediately.
Primarily a British English term. The employee is still technically employed but is asked to stay away from the workplace, often at home (perhaps tending their garden, hence the name).
Word relationships
- paid suspension: 'Paid suspension' can be for disciplinary reasons; 'garden leave' is specifically for departing employees during a notice period.
- benching: Informal, often implies being sidelined or inactive.
- active employment: Working normally.
- immediate termination: Ending employment without a notice period or paid non-working period.
Commonly confused with
- notice period: 'Garden leave' is a type of notice period where the employee doesn't work; a regular 'notice period' usually requires the employee to continue working.
Collocations
- placed on garden leave
- serve garden leave
- garden leave clause
Example sentences
- "The senior executive was placed on garden leave for six months to prevent him from sharing confidential information with a rival firm." Preventing competitive activity.
- "Instead of working out her full notice period, she was put on garden leave and paid until her official departure date." During a notice period.
Memory hook
You're paid to stay home and tend your garden while on garden leave. Paid to garden.
When not to use
Not applicable if the employee is working during their notice period or if employment ends immediately.
Fun facts
- Garden leave clauses are often included in contracts for high-level employees who have access to sensitive information or client lists.
Related words
Explore more words
severance, sick leave, leave, furlough, annual leave, sabbatical
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