What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that requires employers in the United States to provide employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. The FMLA applies to employers with 50 or more employees, and those employers must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave over the course of a year. In Indiana, the FMLA applies to all employers who have at least two employees in the state and at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius. Under the FMLA, employers may not discriminate against or fire employees for taking FMLA leave. In addition, employers must continue to provide health insurance coverage for employees who take the leave. Employees can take leave for a number of reasons, including the birth or adoption of a child, caring for a seriously ill family member, or their own serious medical condition. Upon returning from leave, employees must be provided with the same or a similar position, with the same benefits, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment. The FMLA is a crucial protection that allows employees to take time off work to care for themselves or their families without fear of losing their jobs. It ensures that workers are able to maintain a balance between their job and their family, and provides them with much-needed stability.
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