How Lien on Employment Works

A lien on employment is an employment privilege that you can enjoy as an employee from some employers. While such privileges won’t be available with all employers, if you manage to get a lien on employment, it will guarantee that your job or employment will not end when you are absent from work. In any situation where there is a lien on employment, you (as the employee) will have to provide the employer with good reasons why you will be away and unable to carry out your responsibilities. Once you convince your employer that your motives are good, the employer may agree with you on how much time you can spend away from work.

It is important to note that when there is a lien on employment, you should not be absent from work for a period longer than the duration your employer agreed to. This means that if for any reason, you must be absent beyond the agreed time, your employer can rightfully terminate your appointment. However, in rare cases, your employer may grant an extension if your reason for absence is beyond your control and convincing enough.

There’re a few reasons why an employer may agree to give you a lien on employment. Some common reasons may include medical emergencies, worker’s training, and certain special occasions. You can use the phrase “lien on employment” interchangeable with “lien on appointment” as they both mean the same thing. Also, a lien on employment doesn’t give you the right to embark on unauthorized leave.

Example of a Lien on Employment

To make the idea of a lien on employment clearer, let’s assume you work with a company called “Habib Foods” and have to take leave due to knee surgery and recovery. In this case, your employer can decide to let you be away from work for the first two months after the surgery. Note that in this case, your employer may decide to pay your full salary while you are away, or they may choose to pay half the amount. Once you have reached such an agreement with your employer, you may embark on your leave knowing that your job is secure while you are away.

If you choose to stay away from work longer than the agreed two months, your employer can proceed to terminate your employment. However, suppose your reason for exceeding the agreed leave duration is due to complications during recovery, and you have found a way to notify your employer. In that case, they may choose to allow your prolonged absence for another specified duration with or without pay. Nevertheless, you will be required to provide substantial proof of your predicament before you get another extension.

After the new extension date elapses, you may resume duty and receive your full salary. A lien on employment is rare but can significantly benefit employees in times of emergencies or crisis.