Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS) Certification Practice Test

If an employee took 8 weeks of leave due to prenatal and postpartum reasons, can she request 4 more weeks for her mother’s illness after her mother passes away?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only if the leave is a different reason

4. Requires further approval

The correct answer is: Yes

In situations involving leave requests, the determination of eligibility often hinges on the specific leave policies set forth by the organization or by federal and state laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the United States. An employee may request additional leave even if they have previously taken leave for different reasons, as long as the new leave request is justified under the applicable policies. In this scenario, the employee's initial 8 weeks of leave were taken for maternity-related reasons. The subsequent request for 4 additional weeks of leave due to her mother’s illness—and ultimately her passing—represents a distinct and valid reason that would potentially be covered under the same policies that govern medical leave. Many leave policies provide flexibility for bereavement or family care reasons, allowing employees to take additional time off in response to family emergencies or losses. Provided that the leave request meets the eligibility criteria and any relevant procedures are followed—such as notifying the employer within the required timeframe and providing appropriate documentation—the employee has the right to request the additional leave. This illustrates the entitlement to take leave for various family-related circumstances throughout their employment.