Gardening leave isn't something you want, apparently

January 21, 11:51 AMGardening ExaminerRobin Ripley

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Gardening leave is apparently something you might
wish to avoid. If offered, politely decline.

"Deirdre has been put on gardening leave," said Paul, my client in London.

"Really?" I replied. "How nice of the agency to give her time off for that. But isn't it still rather cold for her to be spending concentrated time in the garden? Isn't spring a better time?"

Well, after Paul stopped laughing he explained that "gardening leave" means that the employee has done something that requires disciplinary investigation and action and is out on paid leave during the process. It can also mean the employee has been  made "redundant" and the company doesn't want them going to work for a competitor.

Apparently, Deirdre has been made redundant.

Redundant. As if she had suddenly been reduced to a gramatical error.

I enjoy the British euphamisms. Gardening leave sounds so very civilized for something you would really otherwise want to avoid.

"Go home now and tend your petunias, dear, while we sort this whole thing out."

I haven't been able to identify the origin of the phrase, but it is no doubt rooted in the Brits' famous passion for gardening.

If you're familiar with the phrase's origin, please leave a comment or email me at gardeningexaminer@gmail.com.