Can I Get Unemployment If I Take a Leave of Absence & Get Fired?

Your right to an unemployment check depends on your state's laws and the reason you're unemployed. In many states, you're usually entitled to unemployment after you're fired. Other states, such as Ohio, won't let you claim unemployment benefits if you were fired for "just cause," such as violating company rules. If you're fired while on leave, the circumstances determine whether you get unemployment.

Some state and federal laws give you the right to stay home from work. The federal Family Medical Leave Act, for example, gives eligible employees the right to 12 weeks of unpaid leave -- to care for a baby or a sick spouse, for example -- over a 12-month period. If your employer fires you for taking leave to which you're legally entitled, that's not a just-cause firing. In addition to claiming unemployment, you may be able to sue for wrongful termination.

If your employer fires you while you're taking leave -- but not because you took leave -- the reason for terminating you makes a difference. Suppose, for example, that you're out on leave when the boss discovers you stole from the company. Getting fired for theft would disqualify you from unemployment benefits in many states.

Your employer can set some conditions on your leave. If you request FMLA leave to care for your spouse, for example, the company can ask your doctor to certify that your spouse is sick. The company can delay your leave until the doctor replies. If the company fires you for taking leave without following the rules, some states would treat that as a just-cause firing. That would disqualify you from claiming unemployment.