What is the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
The FMLA provides employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth and care of a son or daughter, the adoption or foster care placement of a child with the employee, the care of a spouse, son, daughter, or parent with a serious health condition, or a serious health condition of the employee. If the eligibility requirements are met and all appropriate procedures are followed, the employee retains their benefits and position status which equates to job protection during the 12 week period. Additional requirements and conditions may apply.
The Family and Medical Leave Act provides a means for employees to balance their work and family responsibilities by taking unpaid leave for certain reasons. The Act is intended to promote the stability and economic security of families as well as the Nation’s interest in preserving the integrity of families. The FMLA applies to any employer who has 50 or more employees each working day during at least 20 calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year. To be eligible for FMLA leave, an individual must be employed by a covered employer and work at a worksite within 75 miles of which that employer employs at least 50 people have worked at least 12 months (which do not have to be consecutive) for the employer have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months immediately before the date FMLA leave begins. The FMLA entitles employees up to 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave during any 12-month period for the following reasons: Birth and care of the employee’s child, or pl
