FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) Defintion

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law enacted in 1993 that enables eligible employees of covered employers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period for qualified family and medical reasons.

FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) Strategies

• Eligibility Criteria

Understand the criteria for employees and employers to qualify under FMLA provisions, including work hours and company size.

• Qualified Reasons for Leave

Familiarize yourself with valid reasons for taking FMLA leave, such as childbirth, serious health conditions, and caregiving responsibilities.

• Leave Duration and Accumulation

Learn about the 12-week leave entitlement and how it accumulates over a 12-month period, including considerations for intermittent leave.

• Notice and Certification

Establish procedures for employees to provide notice and obtain necessary medical certifications when requesting FMLA leave.

• Job Protection

Ensure that employees on approved FMLA leave are guaranteed job protection, meaning they must be reinstated to their original or equivalent positions.

• Benefits During Leave

Understand the continuation of employee benefits during FMLA leave and the requirements for maintaining health insurance coverage.

• Maintenance of Records

Maintain accurate records of FMLA requests, approvals, and leave usage to ensure compliance and accurate tracking.

FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) Examples

• Maternity Leave

A pregnant employee notifies her HR manager of her intention to take 12 weeks of FMLA leave after the birth of her child.

• Serious Health Condition

An employee undergoes surgery and requests FMLA leave to recover and receive medical treatment.

• Caregiver Leave

An employee requests intermittent FMLA leave to care for a parent with a serious health condition.