leave without pay

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave without pay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about a person who is leaving their job or an organization and is not entitled to any pay. For example, "I was forced to leave my job without pay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The baby was planned but, unexpectedly, I had to take my maternity leave without pay.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But even more than the army, the mitigation of the disaster has been the work of ordinary Indians, working as volunteers, some traveling days by train and bus and private car from towns a thousand miles away and more, paying their own way, sleeping in the open, taking leave without pay from jobs.

The New York Times

"Leave without pay, I really like that," he says.

Huffington Post

According to Merrifield's statement of claim, he did not take leave without pay.

Vice

Chandra Davis was among the many witnesses who described what it's like to take leave without pay.

Huffington Post

Workers were not allowed to take time off, emergencies would mean leave without pay, so a three-hour morning appointment with a doctor cost him.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

(They never intervene until a thief has made clear his intention to leave without paying).

The New Yorker

Britney's table orders a round of drinks, then gets up to leave without paying.

The New York Times

The cashier at the diner, who lets her leave without paying when she forgets her wallet.

The New York Times

You don't go out to dinner and then, you know, eat all you want and then leave without paying the check.

The New York Times

"They told us, 'If you don't work, or leave without paying, we'll bury you in Malaysia,'" said one man.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing employment terms, clearly state "leave without pay" to avoid any ambiguity regarding compensation during the leave period. This ensures both the employer and employee understand the financial implications.

Common error

Avoid using "leave without pay" interchangeably with terms like "unpaid time off" or "furlough". While similar, "leave without pay" generally refers to an extended absence, whereas "unpaid time off" might cover shorter durations, and a "furlough" is usually employer-initiated due to financial constraints.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave without pay" functions as a noun phrase that specifies a type of authorized absence from employment where the employee does not receive their regular salary. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming it's a common and acceptable term.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

6%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave without pay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating an authorized absence from work without compensation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this term commonly appears in professional, news, and general contexts. When using the term, ensure clarity regarding the conditions of the absence to prevent misunderstandings. Related phrases include "unpaid leave" and "time off without pay". Be mindful to avoid confusing it with similar terms like 'furlough', which typically implies an employer-initiated action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpaid leave

Focuses on the 'unpaid' aspect, a direct synonym.

leave of absence without pay

More formal and explicit about the 'leave of absence'.

uncompensated leave

Uses 'uncompensated' to emphasize the lack of payment.

time off without pay

Replaces "leave" with "time off", a more general term.

absence without remuneration

More formal, uses "remuneration" instead of "pay".

furlough without pay

Specifically indicates a temporary layoff without pay.

layoff without severance

Emphasizes the lack of severance pay during a layoff.

unpaid time off

Reorders the words and uses "time off" instead of "leave".

suspension without pay

Refers specifically to a disciplinary suspension.

taking a sabbatical without pay

Specifically indicates a sabbatical period with no compensation.

FAQs

How is "leave without pay" different from a furlough?

"Leave without pay" is typically initiated by the employee for personal reasons, whereas a furlough is a temporary, mandatory suspension of employment without pay, initiated by the employer due to economic conditions or other business needs.

What are some alternatives to "leave without pay"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unpaid leave", "leave of absence without pay", or "time off without pay".

Is "leave without pay" grammatically correct?

Yes, "leave without pay" is grammatically correct and commonly used in business and general contexts to describe an authorized absence from work during which the employee does not receive wages or salary.

When is it appropriate to request "leave without pay"?

It is appropriate to request "leave without pay" when you need an extended period away from work for personal reasons, such as childcare, family emergencies, or personal development, and you are willing to forgo your salary during that time.