Allowing Time Off Without Pay

Reader Question: Are there any issues with allowing an employee to take time off without pay?

– President, Marketing Services Co.

There are several issues. Most of us just think that as long as the employee is not getting paid there is no problem. That being said you need to consider the loss of productivity. That employee’s absence means you lose their productive hours, despite saving some salary in the process. Other issues include the impact their absence has on the workload of others, who now must absorb the burden. From a morale perspective you also have your other employees potentially concerned about why their co-worker is not there and allowed to be away from work more than their paid time off would normally allow, which in turn can create resentment towards that employee. Lot’s of potential issues to consider.