The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. To apply for FMLA leave, an employee must provide their employer with notice of the need for leave and a certification from a healthcare provider. The notice and certification must be provided within certain timeframes and must contain specific information. Once an employee has applied for FMLA leave, the employer must approve or deny the request within a certain timeframe. If the request is approved, the employee is entitled to take leave for up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period. During the leave, the employee’s health insurance coverage must be maintained, and they must be restored to their previous position or an equivalent position upon their return.
The FMLA has been in effect since 1993 and has helped millions of employees balance their work and family responsibilities. It has also been shown to have a positive impact on businesses, by reducing absenteeism and turnover and improving employee morale.
