Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Definition:
The 1993 law that entitles a covered employee to take up to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period for the birth or adoption of a child or the serious health condition of the employee or the employee's child, spouse or parent
The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requiresemployers to give workers up to 12 weeks off to attend to the birthor adoption of a baby, or the serious health condition of theemployee or an immediate family member.
After 12 weeks of unpaid leave, you must reinstate the employeein the same job or an equivalent one. The 12 weeks of leave doesnot have to be taken all at once; in some cases, employees can takeit a day at a time.
In most states, only employers with 50 or more employees aresubject to the FMLA. However, some states have family leave lawsthat place family leave requirements on businesses with as few asfive employees. To find out your state’s requirements, contact yourstate labor department.