The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act became effective August 5, 1993. This act entitles eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period.

FMLA applies to all public agencies and private-sector employers who employed 50 or more employees in 20 or more workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year.

To be eligible an employee must meet all of the following:

• Work for a covered employer
• Have worked for the employer 12 months
• Worked at least 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months
• Worked in the United States or any territory/possession of the United States where at least 50 employees are employed within 75 miles

Leave must be granted to an eligible employee during any 12 month period for one or more of the following reasons:

• The birth and care of the employee’s newborn child
• Placement of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care
• To care for an immediate family member (spouse, child or parent) with a serious health condition
• To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition

For more information about how the FMLA affects you and your employees, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor website or call the Wage-Hour toll-free help line, 1.866.4.USWAGE which translates to 1.866.487.9243.