Legal Definitions - Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a law that requires employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons. This means that employees can take time off from work without fear of losing their job or benefits.

Examples of reasons for taking FMLA leave include:

• The birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child
• A serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform their job
• The need to care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition

To be eligible for FMLA leave, employees must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months and have worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous 12 months. Additionally, the employer must have at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius of the employee's worksite.

It's important to note that FMLA leave is unpaid, but employers may require employees to use their accrued paid leave during their FMLA leave. Additionally, employers must continue to provide health insurance benefits to employees on FMLA leave.

Overall, the FMLA is designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities without fear of losing their job or benefits.