afastamento

Afastamento is a term used in Portuguese to describe the act of distancing, removal, or suspension of a person from a position, duty, or activity for a period. In organizational and public administration contexts, it commonly refers to a leave of absence or to a temporary or definitive withdrawal from duties.

In employment and public service, afastamento denotes being away from work or office for reasons such as health, family care, study, training, or ongoing investigations. It can be temporary, lasting a defined period, or definitive, when the individual no longer occupies the post. Afastamento can also occur as a preventive suspension during disciplinary or investigative procedures.

Types of afastamento include:

- Afastamento temporário: for health reasons (often accompanied by medical certification), caregiving, education, or participation in investigations or training.

- Afastamento definitivo: permanent removal from the function, which may lead to reassignment, retirement, or dismissal, depending on the legal framework and contract.

- Afastamento por doença: health-related absence, frequently tied to sick leave and social security or employer-provided benefits.

Legal and practical aspects vary by country, sector, and contractual arrangement. Typically, the authority or employer authorizes the afastamento, sets its duration, and defines any compensation or benefits in accordance with law or collective agreements. Upon completing the period, the employee usually returns to duties; in cases of definitive afastamento, the position is terminated or reassigned.

Afastamento is distinct from licença (a general leave with expectation of return) and from suspensão (disciplinary action with temporary withholding of duties, possibly with different pay rules). Differences from other terms also include local terminology and specific procedural rules.