How does the Family and Medical Leave Act affect employee benefits?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that was enacted by Congress in 1993. This law provides certain job and health benefits to eligible employees who need time away from work to care for their own health or the health of a family member. This law applies to employers in Washington that have 50 or more employees and to employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours for the employer in the past year. Under the FMLA, employers must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave annually for employees to take time off for a serious medical condition, the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. This time off can also be taken to attend doctor’s appointments or to receive medical treatment for a serious health condition. During this leave, the employee’s job must be protected, and the employer must also continue the health benefits as if the employee was still working. Additionally, FMLA also allows employees to take up to 26 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a single year to care for family members who have sustained a severe injury or illness in the line of active duty in the military. In summary, the Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible employees in Washington with certain job and health benefits when they need to take time off due to a serious medical condition or to take care of a family member with a serious health condition. Employers must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and the employee’s job must be protected during the leave. In certain cases, the employer must also continue health benefits during the leave.

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