Which term describes the deliberate misuse of sick leave?

The term that describes the deliberate misuse of sick leave is "sick leave misuse." This term specifically refers to situations where an employee falsely claims to be ill or in need of leave for personal reasons, thereby abusing the rights and privileges associated with sick leave. It encompasses actions such as using sick days for purposes other than medical needs, which undermines the integrity of the sick leave policy and can negatively impact workplace morale and productivity.

In contrast, unauthorized absence typically refers to any absence from work without prior approval or legitimate justification, which could include various reasons beyond just misuse of sick leave. Illness verification relates to the procedures that may require proof of illness when taking sick leave, rather than the act of misusing it. Medical leave is often associated with legally protected leave under laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides job-protected time off for certain medical situations, but does not imply misuse. Thus, "sick leave misuse" specifically captures the intentional abuse of sick leave benefits.