The procedures for leave of absence due to infertility treatment and leave for the procedure date are different, so you must check the application process in advance. Short procedure days are often processed as leave for infertility treatment at each institution, and Long-term treatment follows the leave of absence procedures agreed upon with the company. Document preparation and consultation with the HR teamPlease do this first. Civil servants, military personnel, firefighters, etc., have a dedicated application channel. Examples: e-People, National Defense Personnel Information System
The procedure for medical leave at public organizations is relatively clear if applied for through the dedicated system.
In private companies, whether and for how long leave is paid varies depending on employment rules and personnel regulations.
Prepare documents (such as medical certificates) in advance and discuss the schedule and salary conditions with the HR manager.
1. First, the difference between vacation and leave of absence
Vacation is typically a system for taking a short-term break while maintaining the employment relationship, whereas a leave of absence is a system for taking an extended leave from work while maintaining the employment contract. Vacations are usually requested on the day of the procedure or in half-day increments, whereas a leave of absence is used for the duration of treatment, similar to sick leave. Regarding salary payment, vacations depend on company regulations or the employment contract, while leaves of absence are generally unpaid, although some companies may have regulations for paid leave. For the return-to-work procedure in the case of a leave of absence, a written application for reinstatement or notification of the scheduled return date is required, so it is safer to reach an agreement in advance. First, check the company's employment rules and collective agreement.do.
2. How do I apply to public organizations such as civil servants, soldiers, and firefighters?
Public organizations frequently process applications for leave related to infertility treatment through dedicated personnel systems. According to a report dated February 3, 2026, there are instances in the military, police, and fire service where procedures are clearly defined, such as by providing guidance that leave for male infertility treatment procedures can be requested as one day per session. An example of the application method is selecting "Leave for Infertility Treatment Procedures" under the "Special Leave" category on the Defense Personnel Information System (military) or e-Saram (civil servants). Required documents include a medical certificate, a procedure schedule, and, if necessary, confirmation from the head of the unit; these documents can be uploaded via the electronic system or submitted to the personnel department. Check your organization's guidelines for the scope and duration of the system.do.
3. What are the procedures for private companies and the documents required?
In private companies, the handling process varies depending on the company's employment rules, collective agreements, and employment contracts. First, inquire with the HR department regarding the possibility of taking leave or a temporary suspension of employment for the purpose of infertility treatment, and if changes to working conditions are necessary, a written agreement is recommended. The documents generally required are a medical certificate, a treatment schedule, and a doctor's opinion letter if necessary. Since salary payment depends on company regulations... Prior agreement is required if paid leave is desired.This is necessary. If treatment is prolonged, clearly specifying the leave of absence application and the scheduled return date can reduce confusion upon your return.
| item | vacation | leave of absence |
|---|---|---|
| period | Short-term (centered on the date of the procedure, usually within 1 day) | Medium to long term (orders to months) |
| Proof | Medical certificate, procedure confirmation | Medical certificate, treatment plan |
| salary | Paid or unpaid in accordance with company regulations | Mostly unpaid, some paid possible |
| reinstatement procedures | Simple separate procedure | Written application for reinstatement required |
Please refer to the table contents.Decide whether to process it as vacation or request a leave of absence based on your treatment schedule. In practice, it is simpler to process short-term procedures as vacation.
4. What documents need to be submitted and when?
The minimum required documents are a medical certificate or a procedure appointment schedule confirming the date of the procedure. When applying for long-term leave, a doctor's diagnosis or treatment plan may be requested, so please check with the medical institution in advance. Regarding the timing of document submission, inform the HR manager immediately upon confirming the scheduled procedure date; if possible, applying well in advance of the procedure will ensure smooth personnel processing and work adjustments. Organizations using the electronic application system can upload supporting documents through the system.Please also check the submission method. Missing documents cause approval delaysTherefore, please create and submit a checklist.
| Target | Main application channels | Proof | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military, Police, Fire Department | Internal systems such as the National Defense Personnel Information System | Medical certificate, date of procedure | We are reporting cases approved for 1 day every session. |
| public official | e-People Special Leave Menu | Medical Certificate | Need to check department guidelines |
| private companies | Apply directly to the HR team | Medical certificate, medical certificate | Salary and duration vary by company |
The table above presents a perspective comparing the characteristics of different organizations. Public organizations handle matters relatively clearly based on systems, whereas the private sector varies according to internal regulations.
5. Final Checklist and Practical Tips
First, consult with the HR manager.Please check the applicable systems and required documents. A medical certificate or procedure appointment confirmation issued by the medical institution is often mandatory, so it is convenient to request it when making the appointment. If there is a possibility that the procedure date will be repeated multiple times, it is safer to document the leave processing method, frequency, and salary status in advance. Users of public organizations utilize electronic systemsIf you do that, applying and uploading supporting documents becomes easy. Finally Organize and store original or electronic documents.And, please clearly agree on the reinstatement schedule in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between leave and temporary leave of absence for infertility treatment?
Vacation is typically a system for taking short-term time off while maintaining the employment relationship, usually applied for on a daily or half-day basis centered around the date of the procedure. In contrast, a leave of absence is a system for taking an extended leave from work while maintaining the employment contract; it is usually unpaid, but some companies may have paid provisions, and it is safer to agree on the reinstatement procedure in advance.
How do I apply for public organizations such as civil servants, the military, and the fire department?
Public organizations often apply through the special leave item of dedicated personnel systems (e-Saram, Defense Personnel Information System, etc.), and you can electronically upload supporting documents such as medical certificates or procedure schedules or submit them to the personnel department, and you must check the scope and number of days of application according to the guidelines of your department.
What procedures and documents need to be prepared at private companies?
Since private companies vary in handling procedures and whether leave is paid depending on employment rules, collective agreements, and labor contracts, it is recommended to inquire with the HR team regarding the possibility of leave or temporary suspension of service for infertility treatment, prepare a medical certificate, a treatment schedule, and a doctor's opinion if necessary, and reach a written agreement.
What documents need to be submitted and when?
The minimum required documents are a medical certificate or a procedure appointment schedule confirming the date of the procedure. You must notify the HR manager immediately upon confirming the scheduled date and submit the documents as early as possible; however, for long-term leave, preparing a medical certificate and treatment plan in advance can help reduce delays in approval.