Hi Pushpa,
:D You got so many versions clarifying your doubt. Let me give you one last version. This is strictly Mgmt point of view.
Leave is a prerogative of the Management. Leave is said to be 'granted' when you apply in writing to the Mgmt and the concerned authority communicates to you in writing that the leave applied by you is sanctioned. Other than this situation, in all other situations staying away from duty is called "Absence". However the category of Casual leave and sick leave are generally not strictly implemented in this manner because the absence in these cases is due to exigencies or illness. So generally oral information is passed on to the employer and it is "accepted" or presumed that your absence would be validly "regularised as leave" once you rejoin and submit your application for sanction. Hence in such situations each organisation follows a different principle of either marking CL or SL or A for absent in the attendance register. HOWEVER from Mgmt's point of view till your application is clearly sanctioned it is considered 'absence'.
Now coming to LWP, as others explained, LWP can arise in 3 situations. One is when your employers is agreeable to consider your absence as leave but there is no eligible leave to your balance. Here there is a technical constraint. Then the leave is sanctioned as LWP and is authorised. Second situation is when your employer is not willing to sanction you leave because you went on sudden leave and as a disciplinary action decides to treat your absence as LWP. This is treated as "Unauthorised absence" and is a negative record in your attendance/career. Third situation is when there is an emergency situation in family or you need to be away for some important reasons for 2 or 3 months, either inland or abroad.. you can 'apply' for LWP seeking a special sanction. This is usually considered on merit basis by Mgmt and as per their policy guidelines and sanctioned accordingly. Generally each organisation has 12 months to 18 months as LWP eligibility for extreme exigencies to be sanctioned by the Board of Directors on case to case basis.
Hence " Absence" is a term used "till" your application is sanctioned either as CL/SL/PL or authorised LWP leave or unauthorised LWP. Generally wherever employees do not inform ahead, the employer just marks "A" in the attendance.
I though it necessary to inform you in this elaborate manner because the employees should not treat the procedure of leave sanction lightly. Giving prior information to the employer and also submitting of leave application promptly on rejoining should be taken 'very seriously' otherwise there would be a negative record notings in your career profile as to your laxity regarding leave rules.
:D :D Hope this helps as a guidance to you.
Jyothi