sick leave
sik leev
/sɪk liːv/
Time off from work granted to an employee because of illness or injury.
Specifically for health reasons. Can be paid or unpaid, depending on company policy and local laws.
The story behind the word. This term is a straightforward compound, combining 'sick' (from Old English 'sēoc', meaning ill) and 'leave' (from Old English 'lēaf', meaning permission). It literally means 'permission to be absent due to illness'. The concept of formal, paid sick leave as an employee benefit is a relatively modern development, emerging with the rise of industrial labor and workers' rights.
Word relationships
- medical leave: Often used for longer-term, more serious health conditions, sometimes requiring FMLA in the US.
- disability leave: For long-term or permanent inability to work due to illness or injury.
- work: Engaging in one's professional duties.
- attendance: The act of being present at a place.
Commonly confused with
- PTO: 'PTO' (Paid Time Off) is a general bank of hours for various reasons, whereas 'sick leave' is specifically for illness.
Collocations
- paid sick leave
- unpaid sick leave
- take sick leave
- accrue sick leave
Example sentences
- "I'll need to take sick leave tomorrow as I've come down with the flu." Reporting an illness to a manager.
- "Our company offers ten days of paid sick leave per year." Discussing company benefits.
Memory hook
SICK LEAVE: You're SICK, so you LEAVE work. SICK LEAVE = Illness absence.
When not to use
Do not use 'sick leave' for time off for leisure, personal appointments, or family emergencies, unless the policy explicitly allows it (which is rare).
Fun facts
- Some countries have mandatory paid sick leave laws, while others leave it to employer discretion.
- The average number of sick days taken by employees varies significantly by industry and country.
Related words
Explore more words
presenteeism, absenteeism, sabbatical, garden leave, convalesce, severance
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