on sick leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on sick leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where an employee is temporarily absent from work due to illness. Example: "She is currently on sick leave and will return to work once she has fully recovered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Data on sick leave during one-year follow-up are also requested form the employers.

BMC Public Health

Gillispie has been on sick leave since.

The New York Times - Sports

David Letterman was on sick leave.

The New York Times - Arts

Ten others are on sick leave.

The New York Times

He remains on sick leave from court duties.

The Guardian

Nolan had been absent on sick leave since Easter.

The Guardian

She took off an entire summer on sick leave.

The New York Times

It had revealed this week she was on sick leave.

BBC

All were on sick leave and had been given classical treatments, including anesthetic blocks.

Douleurs : Evaluation - Diagnostic - Traitement

The group studied consisted of subjects on sick leave identified in a nationwide health insurance scheme in Sweden.

Pain

Construct validity of functional capacity evaluation lifting tests in construction workers on sick leave as a result of musculoskeletal disorders.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing workplace policies or employee benefits, use the phrase "on sick leave" to clearly and professionally indicate an employee's temporary absence due to illness. Ensure your organization's policies regarding sick leave are well-defined and communicated.

Common error

Do not assume that all employers offer the same sick leave benefits. Research and understand the specific labor laws and company policies that apply to your situation to ensure you are compliant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on sick leave" functions as a prepositional phrase that often modifies a noun or verb, indicating a state of being absent from work due to illness. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a common expression in both news and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on sick leave" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an employee's temporary absence from work due to illness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage, especially within scientific and news contexts. As highlighted in the usage examples, it appears in numerous reputable sources like BMC Public Health and The New York Times. When using this phrase, it is crucial to be aware of employment laws and company policies regarding sick leave benefits to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absent due to illness

This alternative directly states the reason for absence, emphasizing the illness.

off work sick

A more informal way to express the same concept, common in casual conversation.

taking medical leave

This suggests a formal, approved absence for medical reasons, possibly longer in duration.

on medical absence

This is a formal term indicating absence due to a medical condition.

currently unwell and unable to work

This specifies the current state of being unwell and its impact on work ability.

temporarily incapacitated

Indicates a temporary inability to perform duties, usually due to health issues.

recovering from an illness

Highlights the recovery process as the reason for absence.

indisposed due to health reasons

A more formal way of saying someone is unavailable due to health.

out of office due to sickness

Emphasizes absence from the workplace specifically due to illness.

away from work for health reasons

A general phrase indicating absence related to health, covering various situations.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "on sick leave"?

Being "on sick leave" means an employee is temporarily absent from work due to illness or injury, usually with the employer's permission. Compensation during this time may vary based on company policy or local regulations.

What are some alternatives to saying "on sick leave"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "absent due to illness", "taking medical leave", or "off work sick".

How do I request to go "on sick leave"?

Typically, you'll need to notify your employer according to their established procedures, often providing a doctor's note or other documentation to support your request.

What are my rights while I am "on sick leave"?

Your rights while "on sick leave" depend on the employment laws in your location and your employer's policies. These rights may include job protection, continued benefits, and the right to return to your position after recovery.