sick leave

noun

1

: an absence from work permitted because of illness

2

: the number of days per year for which an employer agrees to pay employees who are sick

Examples of sick leave in a Sentence

employee benefits such as vacation time and sick leave

We are allotted three weeks annual sick leave.

He's been on sick leave since last Thursday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Schwalb’s office claims Swahili Village paid workers as little as $5 per hour (including tips), did not pay overtime wages, failed to distribute tips and provided no sick leave, as required by D.C. law. —Tim Carman, Washington Post, 16 July 2024

Farmworkers lack overtime compensation, sick leave and holidays, and many do not have access to social benefits like Medicaid and food stamps. —Alexis J. Handal, The Conversation, 15 July 2024

There was previously no dedicated sick leave for members. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 July 2024

Massachusetts workers enjoy the strongest protections in New England, and among the strongest in the nation, including mandatory sick leave and family leave. —Scott Cohn, CNBC, 13 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

sick leave

noun

1

: an absence from work permitted because of illness

2

: the number of days per year for which an employer agrees to pay employees who are sick