FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act): Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how the Family and Medical Leave Act provides job-protected time off for health and family reasons in the United States.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows eligible workers to take time away from their jobs for specific health or family reasons without losing their position.
Who it's for
This protection is available to employees working at companies that have 50 or more staff members.
What you get
You are entitled to up to 12 weeks of leave to care for yourself or a family member during a serious health condition or for other qualifying family reasons. Most importantly, this leave is job-protected, meaning your employer must allow you to return to your position or an equivalent one when your leave ends.
What it costs you
This leave is unpaid, so you will not receive a salary from the government or your employer during this time. To use this benefit, you will need to provide medical certification to prove your need for leave.
The catch to know
The biggest thing to remember is that this is unpaid leave, not paid leave. Because this is a federal program, it does not provide a paycheck; you should check your specific state laws to see if your state offers any paid leave programs that might supplement your income.
How to apply
- Discuss your need for leave with your employer.
- Provide the necessary medical documentation if requested.
- Coordinate your return-to-work details with your employer's HR department.