Garden Leave

Garden Leave is a practice in employment law where an employee is asked to stay away from work during their notice period after being terminated or resigning. During this time, the employee still receives their regular salary and benefits but is not allowed to work or engage in any work-related activities.

Example #1

For example, Sarah was told by her employer that she was being placed on Garden Leave after she resigned. She was asked to stay at home and not come into the office, but she continued to receive her salary and benefits during this time.

Example #2

John's employer terminated his contract and put him on Garden Leave. He was still paid his salary and benefits for the notice period but was not allowed to access work premises or perform any work duties.

Misuse

Misuse of Garden Leave can occur when employers use it as a form of punishment or to sideline employees without valid reasons. This can lead to financial hardship and emotional distress for employees who are unjustly placed on Garden Leave.

Benefits

Garden Leave can benefit employees by providing them with time to seek new job opportunities without the stress of being actively employed. It also ensures that the departing employee does not have access to sensitive company information during the notice period.

Conclusion

It's important to ensure that Garden Leave is used fairly and in accordance with employment laws to protect employees from abuse of this practice. Employees should be informed of their rights and entitlements during Garden Leave to prevent any misuse by employers.

Related Terms

Termination LetterAt-Will EmploymentDismissal Notice