The phrase "leave of absence" refers to a period of time when an employee takes a break from work for various reasons such as illness, personal reasons, or education. There are various synonyms for the phrase "leave of absence" which include furlough, sabbatical, hiatus, vacation, break, or time off. While each of these terms has its own connotation, they all describe a leave taken from regular work. A furlough, for example, is a temporary unpaid leave offered by employers during times of economic hardship, while a sabbatical is a paid or unpaid extended leave granted to employees for professional or personal development. Regardless of the term used, a leave of absence allows employees to take a break and come back refreshed and ready to work again.