What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides job-protected, unpaid leave for up to twelve weeks in a twelve-month period for qualified employees. It applies to employers with fifty or more employees, and those with fewer than fifty employees if they are part of a larger business with fifty or more employees. The FMLA is designed to help employees balance their work and family lives by providing them with time off when they need it most. In Texas, the FMLA applies to employers of fifty or more employees who have worked at least twelve months for the same employer and have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours in the twelve months prior to taking leave. These employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave for serious medical conditions, the birth and care of a newborn, the adoption or foster care of a child, and to care for a family member with a serious medical condition. The employee may also take leave for certain qualifying exigencies, such as military deployments. The FMLA also requires employers to maintain a certain level of health insurance coverage during any leave periods. Additionally, upon returning from leave, the employee must be restored to the same or an equivalent position as the one they left. Employers also cannot discriminate or retaliate against those who have taken FMLA leave. Overall, the Family and Medical Leave Act is a valuable federal law that gives employees the right to take time off for medical or family reasons while continuing to be employed at their job. It is important to remember, however, that FMLA rights only apply to qualified employees who work for employers who are covered under the law.

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What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

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