Sometimes, you need to step away from work for a while—and that's where a leave of absence comes in. Whether it's for personal, medical, or other reasons, here's a quick look at the most requested types of leave.

Pay and Benefits While On Leave

Most leaves of absence are unpaid—but depending on your situation, you might be eligible for Disability or Paid Family Medical Leave benefits. You can also choose to use any PTO you've saved to help cover your time away. Just a heads up—using PTO won't extend the length of your leave.

Your health insurance will continue during your leave, however, you are responsible to pay your premiums on a monthly basis. Lithia & Driveway insurance will continue for the first 26 weeks of a leave of absence. Review Benefits While on Leave.

Manage Your Leave

Taking a leave of absence? LeavePro, an Alight digital tool, will help you keep organized and support you at the beginning of, during, and after your leave. You can report time off, check your leave balance, request an extension, update pregnancy delivery details, or let them know when you're ready to return—all online or with a quick phone call.

This federal law gives you up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain important life events. You can use it to:

• Welcome a new child (through birth, adoption, or foster care)
• Care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition
• Take time off for your own serious health condition if you’re unable to work
• Support a spouse, child, or parent called to active military duty
• Care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness

FMLA gives you the time off you need without the stress of losing your job while you're away.

Who’s eligible: You can request FMLA if you’ve been with the Company for at least 12 months, completed at least 1,250 hours in the past year, and work at a location where Lithia & Driveway employs at least 50 team members within a 75-mile radius.

What’s offered: You can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave during a 12-month period.

What to do: Give your manager at least 30 days' notice if possible. Your request should include a start and end date, plus a clear reason for the leave. You will be required to provide certification from a health care provider.

If you're not eligible for federal or state leave, you can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave through Lithia & Driveway Family & Medical Leave. You can use it to welcome a new child, care for an immediate family member, care for your own serious health condition if you can’t work, help when a spouse/child/parent is called to active duty, or care for a covered service member.

Who’s eligible: You can request Family & Medical Leave if you’ve completed 500 hours of work in the past six months and are not eligible for FMLA.

What’s offered: You can take up to 12 weeks of continuous, unpaid, job-protected leave over a one-year period.

What to do: Give your manager at least 30 days' notice if possible. Your request should include a start and end date, plus a clear reason for the leave. You will be required to provide certification from a health care provider.

When you need a break from work to take care of the unexpected, Personal Leave is here for you.

Who’s eligible: If you’ve been with the Company for at least three months and you’re in good standing, you can request a non-job protected Personal Leave. Note: this option is only available if you've already used up—or aren't eligible for—Lithia & Driveway Family & Medical Leave and/or all other statutory leaves.

What’s offered: You can take up to 60 calendar days off, depending on business needs.

What to do: Give your manager at least 30 days’ notice if possible. Your request should include a start and end date, plus a clear reason for the leave. You may also need to check in and provide updates during your time away.

If you need time off for military duty, Lithia & Driveway follows all state and federal laws to support you. Be sure to inform your supervisor and Alight as soon as possible and provide a copy of your military orders.

An unpaid military leave of absence will be granted for those in the military reserves who are called to training or active duty. Your benefits will continue during your leave, as outlined by federal guidelines. If you have a qualifying exigency, you may take up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave on a rolling 12-month basis.

If your family member is in the armed forces, you may be eligible to take unpaid time off under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to care for a covered service member or veteran or to handle a qualifying urgent matter (exigency).

Who’s eligible: You can request FMLA if you’ve been with the Company for at least 12 months, completed at least 1,250 hours in the past year, and work at a location where Lithia & Driveway employs at least 50 team members within a 75-mile radius.

What’s offered: If you need leave to care for a seriously ill or injured covered service member or veteran, you are eligible for up to 26 weeks of leave in a single 12-month period.

What to do: Give your manager at least 30 days’ notice if possible. Your request should include a start and end date, plus a clear reason for the leave. You will be required to provide certification from a health care provider.