Military Leave from Work

What is Military Leave from Work?

Employees who participate in specific active or inactive responsibilities in the United States military, including the National Guard and Reserve of the Armed Forces, are entitled to a leave of absence from their jobs under the military leave policy. In addition, the right to be restored in their prior post following military service is legally guaranteed to workers who leave their civilian jobs to serve in the military, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Reinstatement consists of equal employment, salary, and benefits.

Why Military Leave from Work Matters

The employee must give advanced written or verbal notification of the impending military duty or training to be eligible for military leave from employment. The employee must also complete their military duty honorably and cannot have more than five years of combined military leave.

If an employee is called to active duty or attends weekend or yearly National Guard or Reserve training, they may need to take a leave of absence from work. Again, the entire length of this leave cannot exceed five years. It may last for a few days, a few weeks, a year, or more.