It depends on various factors. When I was hospitalized, I was able to just use sick pay (I had to get a note from the hospital because I was off work more than three days). If I were to be hospitalized for longer, say 30 days, I would have to take a leave of absence or try to get short term disability (my company isn't big enough for paid family leave). But it depends where you are in the world, and where you work, and what your companies policies are. I told my bosses that there was a possibility that I would have to go to the hospital probably a month before it happened. And it happened over the weekend initially so I texted and skyped them and called into work and left a voicemail. Then I had my Dad call every day that I missed work to let them know I wasn't able to come in until work told him that he didn't have to call anymore. Hope this helps! HUGS Kit