sick leave

Meaning

Sick leave is time off from work that an employee takes because of physical or mental illness. It allows employees to recover at home while still retaining their job, often with pay depending on company policy or local laws. It is used in both formal HR discussions and casual team updates.

Examples

• I need to take a day of sick leave because I've come down with a bad flu.

  I need to take a day of sick leave because I've come down with a bad flu.

• The company's policy allows up to ten days of paid sick leave per year.

  The company's policy allows up to ten days of paid sick leave per year.

• He has been on sick leave for two weeks following his minor surgery.

  He has been on sick leave for two weeks following his minor surgery.

• You will need a doctor's note if your sick leave lasts longer than three consecutive days.

  You will need a doctor's note if your sick leave lasts longer than three consecutive days.

• She called HR to report that she would be taking sick leave today.

  She called HR to report that she would be taking sick leave today.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am in sick leave today.

  ✓ I am on sick leave today.

  The correct preposition to use with 'leave' is 'on', not 'in'.

• ✗ She took a sick leave yesterday.

  ✓ She took sick leave yesterday.

  'Sick leave' is generally treated as an uncountable noun, so we do not use 'a' before it unless referring to a specific 'day of sick leave'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you are feeling unwell, you should take ___ and rest at home.

  💡 Time off work due to illness.

  Show answer

  sick leave

• He is currently on ___ after injuring his back last week.

  💡 Leave taken for health reasons.

  Show answer

  sick leave