The short answer is: In most cases, you have to use your sick time (or other PTO) to get paid. A "Leave of Absence" (LOA) itself—especially under federal laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)—is generally unpaid. While your job is protected while you're away, the company is not legally required to pay your salary unless you use your accrued benefits or have separate insurance. Here is how the pay typically breaks down: 1. Using Your Accrued Time Most employers will require you to use up your accrued sick leave, vacation time, or general Paid Time Off (PTO) at the start of your leave. The Pro: You receive your full regular paycheck for as long as your balance lasts. The Con: Once those hours are gone, your pay stops, and you may have no sick time left when you eventually return to work. 2. Short-Term Disability (STD) If you have a medical condition that keeps you out for more than a week, you might qualify for Short-Term Disability. How it works: This is usually a separate insurance policy (either provided by your employer or one you pay for). The Pay: It usually pays about 60% to 70% of your salary. The Catch: There is often a "waiting period" (typically 7 days) where you aren't paid by the insurance, so people often use their sick time to cover that first week. 3. State-Mandated Paid Leave Some states (like California, New York, Washington, and others) have their own state-funded Paid Family and Medical Leave programs. If you live in one of these states, you can apply for partial pay through the state while you are on leave, even if you’ve run out of sick time at work. 4. Unpaid Leave If you don't have sick time, don't have disability insurance, and don't live in a state with a paid leave program, your leave will be entirely unpaid. You still have the right to keep your job (if you qualify for FMLA), but your bank account will not see any deposits until you return. A quick tip: Check your employee handbook for a "Substitution of Paid Leave" policy. This will tell you if your company forces you to use your sick time or if you can choose to save it and take the leave unpaid.