Guide to FMLA
FMLA stands for the Family and Medical Leave Act, which is a federal law that gives employees various rights related to taking time off from work for family or medical reasons. The FMLA has many benefits; however, employees must be eligible for coverage under the act by meeting several key qualifications.
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History
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The FMLA was enacted in 1993 and later amended in 2008. A primary reason the FMLA was passed was to protect employees from losing their jobs after taking time off for reasons related to health and family. This was a significant problem for women, who often took time off from work to care for newborn children. After 1993, the FMLA allowed employees to return to a job of equal responsibility and pay after taking necessary time off.
Qualifying Events
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The FMLA provides 12 weeks of leave to employees during a 12-month period in the case of several qualifying events. According to the U.S. Department Of Labor, an employee can take leave for the birth or adoption of a child, or due to personal illness or the illness of an immediate family member. An employee may also take leave for any reason related to an immediate family member's military obligations if currently on active duty.
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Eligibility
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In order to receive benefits under the FMLA, an employee must meet several key criteria set forth by the federal government. The employee must work for an employer that is covered by the FMLA for a minimum of 12 months. Within those 12 months, the employee must have worked at least 1,250 hours. There are additional provisions that allow employees eligibility if they have not worked for their company for 12 consecutive months or if they work in a territory possessed by the United States, according to the U.S. Department Of Labor. An employee must also meet additional criteria outlined by federal and state governments, including notifying the employer of the employee's plans to take unpaid leave under the act.
Benefits
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The FMLA ensures an employee has a job to return to after taking time off for a qualifying event. An employee covered by the FMLA will not lose her eligibility for various benefits, such as health insurance. In addition, the FMLA also protects employees against employer discrimination for taking unpaid time off under the act's provisions.
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References
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