I'm planning to hike the Continental Divide trail next year. I asked at work how much notice they would want before I left and they preferred to know months in advance. Sure I'm ten months early now, but I can't shake the feeling that it's odd how they'll accept 2 week quit notice but want much more when I want to take an extended leave of absence.
From their point of view, isn't a 5 month leave of absence like I was quitting anyways, just that the “re-hiring” is perhaps expedited? Or would they want to know months in advance if I was quitting but they can't do much about that one but feel like they can bargain with a leave of absence?
I was already considering moving and thus finding a different job anyways when I finish my hike, so I don't feel much obliged to them.
Tl;dr
Why do they want months notice for extended leave of absence but are fine if I quit with 2 week notice?