How can I figure out which leave of absence requests I must grant?

Employees make many kinds of requests and it’s often difficult to determine which ones you must — or should — grant. Consider each request using a simple three-step process to help you figure out how to respond.

Step 1: What does the law say?

In many instances, the employee’s request will be governed by law. For example, the employee who requests a leave of absence to care for their seriously ill mother may be eligible for a legally protected leave under the state and federal family leave laws. You must determine if the employee meets the legal criteria to take a family leave, such as whether you