Statutory leave refers to the legally mandated and protected time off from work that employees are entitled to under labor laws and government regulations. This time off is typically provided for specific reasons, such as vacation, sick leave, public holidays, or family-related events. Statutory leave ensures that employees can balance their work and personal lives while maintaining job security and entitlement to certain benefits.

Example
In the United States, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with statutory leave, allowing them to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for qualified family or medical reasons. This includes caring for a newborn or adopted child, dealing with a serious health condition, or attending to military family needs. The law ensures that the employees can take this leave without the fear of losing their job or health benefits.