--- title: Can I Ask Employees Why They Need a Leave? - Ahola description: An employee—perhaps one who has been working fine so far—suddenly requests a leave. Click through to see what questions you can ask. image: https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-BAzOod.jpeg --- Start typing and press Enter to search * * # Can I Ask Employees Why They Need a Leave? [Home](https://www.ahola.com/) » [News & Events](https://blog.ahola.com/can-i-ask-employees-why-they-need-a-leave) » Can I Ask Employees Why They Need a Leave? [2020-08-21%2016:09:43](2020-08-21%2016:09:43) ![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-BAzOod.jpeg) ## Can I Ask Employees Why They Need a Leave? By [ aholaadmin ](https://blog.ahola.com/author/aholaadmin)  Posted [ August 21, 2020](2020-08-21%2016:09:43)  In  [Payroll](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/payroll), [Benefits](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/benefits), [Human Resources](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/human-resources), [Managing COVID-19](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/managing-covid-19), [Employees](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employees), [Time & Attendance](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/time-attendance) - - - - - You may require that the employee provide the qualifying reason he or she is taking leave, and submit an oral or written statement that the employee is unable to work because of this reason, as well as certain documentation, as required by law. And while you may ask the employee to note any changed circumstances in his or her statement as part of explaining why the employee is unable to work, be careful, lest it increase the likelihood that any decision denying leave based on that information is a prohibited act. The fact that a particular employee, for example, has been teleworking despite having his or her children at home does not mean that the employee cannot *now* take leave to care for his or her children whose schools are closed for a COVID-19 related reason. For example, your employee may not have been able to care effectively for the children while teleworking or, perhaps, your employee may have made the decision to take paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave to care for the children so that the employee’s spouse, who is not eligible for any type of paid leave, could work or telework. These (and other) reasons are legitimate and do not afford a basis for denying paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave to care for a child whose school is closed for a COVID-19 related reason. However, you can discipline an employee who unlawfully takes paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave based on misrepresentations, including, for example, to care for the employee’s children when the employee, in fact, has no children and is not taking care of a child. This is just a summary. For your particular situations, be sure to get professional advice. Need guidance on HR related issues? [**Contact us today**](https://www.ahola.com/request-a-demo/) to work with a certified HR Professional. ### Reply a Comment ## RELATED POSTS [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-rAAvJT.jpeg) ](https://blog.ahola.com/5-tips-for-remote-workers-to-be-productive-at-home) [5 Tips for Remote Workers to be Productive at Home](https://blog.ahola.com/5-tips-for-remote-workers-to-be-productive-at-home) [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-k4b8Jh.jpeg) ](https://blog.ahola.com/timekeeping-compliance-risks-why-you-need-accurate-records) [Timekeeping Compliance Risks: Why You Need Accurate Records](https://blog.ahola.com/timekeeping-compliance-risks-why-you-need-accurate-records) [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-vBgbVM.jpeg) ](https://blog.ahola.com/can-employers-mandate-vaccinations) [Can Employers Mandate Vaccinations?](https://blog.ahola.com/can-employers-mandate-vaccinations) ## SUBSCRIBE ### Recent posts - [Professionalizing HR Without Losing Your Family Culture ](https://blog.ahola.com/professionalizing-hr-without-losing-your-family-culture) - [Why Encouraging Employees to Take Summer Vacation Benefits Your Workplace ](https://blog.ahola.com/why-encouraging-employees-to-take-summer-vacation-benefits-your-workplace) - [Ahola Named a 2026 Top Workplace — Six Years Running! ](https://blog.ahola.com/ahola-named-a-2026-top-workplace) - ### Topics - [Affordable Care Act (13)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/affordable-care-act) - [Benefits (223)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/benefits) - [Cybersecurity (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/cybersecurity) - [Employee Engagement (255)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employee-engagement) - [Employees (603)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employees) - [Family Business Insights (10)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/family-business-insights) - [Hiring (282)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/hiring) - [Human Resources (645)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/human-resources) - [Laws/Policies (26)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/laws-policies) - [Managing COVID-19 (153)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/managing-covid-19) - [News Release (56)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/news-release) - [Offboarding (3)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/offboarding) - [onboarding (7)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/onboarding) - [Payroll (428)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/payroll) - [Recruiting (142)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/recruiting) - [Safety (121)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/safety) - [Tax Compliance (230)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/tax-compliance) - [Time & Attendance (124)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/time-attendance) - [Training & Development (214)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/training-development) - [Trending Topic (75)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/trending-topic) - [Uncategorized (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/uncategorized) - [Webinars (69)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/webinars) - [Workers Comp (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/workers-comp) [see all topics](https://blog.ahola.com/can-i-ask-employees-why-they-need-a-leave#) ### GENERAL DISCLAIMER This blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and cannot constitute legal advice, because the authors are not licensed attorneys. Readers should not rely or act upon any information presented on this blog without seeking professional legal counsel. The views expressed in each post are those of the author, and the author alone; they are not the views of Ahola. The information provided in this blog is general, and based on information available as of the date of publishing. Information herein is provided on an “as is” or “as available” basis; we make no warranty of any kind to you regarding the information provided and disclaim any liability for damages from use of the blog or its content. Please consult an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular question or issue. [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/qtq80-ed84XR.jpeg) Can Employers Reduce Pay If an Employee Works at Home? 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