For an employee seeking protection, the employer must allow how many workdays off within any 12-month period?

• A. 1
• B. 3
• C. 5
• D. 7

Answer: (B)

Protected leave in this context is a small, job-protected allowance you can take within a rolling 12-month period. The idea is to provide a brief window to handle personal or family needs without risking your job, and it’s counted in workdays, not calendar days. The standard cap is three workdays in any 12-month window, measured from the start of the first protected absence. This amount offers essential protection while keeping staffing needs manageable.

Why three days fits best: it gives employees a meaningful, short-term option for emergencies without creating a large disruption to operations or requiring more extensive leave. One day is often too little to cover most protected scenarios, while five or seven days would be a larger commitment that could strain coverage.