Duke offers three types of leaves of absence to enable staff to temporarily leave active service for personal illnesses, the illnesses and/or care of immediate family members, educational needs, military service, family issues and/or personal matters. The purpose of paid and unpaid leaves of absence is to protect the service of staff who wish to temporarily leave active service but plan to return to Duke within the time specified by their leave of absence. Duke's leave-of-absence program is designed to allow for the continuation of applicable benefits coverage during this time.