Understanding the Difference Between Sabbatical Leave and Leave Without Pay: What Do They Mean for You?

Difference Between LWP and Sabbatical Leave

I want to know the difference between the two.

You already know what LWP is, so I won't get into it. Sabbatical Leave

The concept of sabbatical leave is mostly found in Western countries, where people usually take up to a 1-year leave to pursue higher education or any other personal goal. The employee stays on the company's rolls but may or may not receive a salary during that period; this decision depends on the company. Typically, a profit-focused company does not offer paid sabbaticals. Once the sabbatical leave is over, the employee can resume full-time employment with the company.

Regards,
Ritesh Shah

Understanding LWP and Sabbatical Leave

LWP usually connotes a discipline or a deviation from organizational accepted norms. For example, leave taken in excess of the leave norms or late coming beyond the acceptable number of instances may invite LWP.

A Sabbatical is an authorized long leave for the purpose of pursuing education, during which the employee reserves their job with the employer as long as the employer wishes the employee to return. As the durations of a sabbatical are long, there is no salary paid for this break in service.

Hope this clarifies.

Thank you, Mr. Deepak,

I would like to request further clarification about the period for calculating gratuity. Is loss of pay without sanction considered a break in service? The individual has worked for approximately thirty years in the company and has been on leave without sanction for the past five years.

Regards,
AK Mathur

In most organizations, to be eligible for Sabbatical leave, one should have a good rating in the past, and there is also a minimum tenure that an employee should have completed with the company.

In my organization, one can apply for Sabbatical Leave if they have been with the company for 5 years or more and have an 'A' rating for the past 3 consecutive years. The leave is for 3 months paid, where one receives 100% of their salary in the first month, 80% in the second month, and 60% in the third month. After the leave is completed, the employee returns to their normal payroll cycle.