What is “intermittent” leave?
Intermittent leave is time off from work on an occasional basis, as opposed to entire days at a time. An employee’s doctor must certify that the employee needs to take occasional time off in order for the employee to qualify for it. Employees can qualify for intermittent leave where they or their family member’s condition is intermittent and where they are needed only intermittently. This could be the case, for example, where other care is normally available or where responsibilities are shared with other family members or third parties, but an employee must still be available in emergencies. Intermittent or reduced schedule leave may be taken for: • planned medical treatment that is medically necessary; • unanticipated medical treatment that is medically necessary; • recovery from treatment; • recovery from a serious health condition; or • providing care or psychological comfort to an immediate family member with a serious health condition.
