For whatever reason (departmental disputes or business complaints or legal limbo in employment status) companies may pay but expect no work.

Sometimes, at the urging of legal or human resources , an employee may be asked to not seek other employments during this paid leave. Well the legal guys have a name for this--'gardening leave'. Gardening leaves are legal in some places and enforcible. You are generally expected to stay at home and twiddle thumbs.