Family Medical Leave Act – What You Should Know
Fred Shahrooz-Scampato
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law administered by the Federal Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor. The act provides that qualifying employees have the right to take a leave from work for themselves or a family member for up to 12 weeks in a 12 month period without fear of losing employment due to the fact that they are going out on the leave.
Who is covered?
Only employers who have at least 50 employees working within 75 miles of the employee’s worksite are obligated to provide FMLA leave. Only employees who have worked at least 12 months for the employer and have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months immediately before the date of the FMLA leave begins are eligible to take the leave.
What kind of leave qualifies for FMLA leave?
The following types of situations may qualify for FMLA leave: (1) parental leave after the birth of a child; (2) pregnancy leave (where doctor requires bed rest or there is a pregnancy-related complication); (3) adoption or foster care; (4) medical leave to care for family member with a serious health condition; and (5) medical leave for your own serious health condition.