FMLAs

FMLAs stands for the Family and Medical Leave Act. It is a United States federal law that provides eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. The act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

The FMLA guarantees that employees can take up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for certain reasons. These reasons include the birth of a child and to care for the newborn, placement of a child for adoption or foster care, to care for a spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition, or when the employee's own serious health condition prevents them from performing the essential functions of their job. It also covers qualifying exigency related to a family member serving in the active duty or call to active duty status in the National Guard or Reserves in support of a contingency operation.

To be eligible for FMLA leave, an employee must have worked for a covered employer for at least 12 months, have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12 months prior to the start of the leave, and work at a location where the employer has at least 50 employees within 75 miles. Employers covered by the FMLA include private sector employers with 50 or more employees in the current and preceding calendar year, all public agencies, and elementary and secondary schools.

During FMLA leave, an employee's group health benefits must be maintained by the employer under the same terms as if the employee had continued to work. After the leave, the employee is generally entitled to be restored to their original job or to an equivalent position with equivalent pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.