What happens to personal leave when an employee goes on military leave?

When an employee goes on military leave, personal leave typically does not carry over and is not retained. Instead, policies often stipulate that any unused personal leave is forfeited during the period of military service. This reflects the understanding that military leave is a separate category of leave designed to accommodate the unique obligations of service members, which can affect their eligibility for other forms of leave.

Many organizations and state policies are structured to ensure that military personnel have access to the benefits and protections they need when serving; as such, leave policies differentiate between various types of leave, including personal, vacation, and military leave. Therefore, personal leave does not accumulate or persist in the same way that one might expect for other types of leave.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for employees planning for or entering military service, as it can impact their overall leave balances and future time off.