What are the requirements for providing family or medical leave?

In Texas, employers must adhere to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This act requires employers to provide eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for certain family and medical reasons. In order to be eligible, an employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months, and for at least 1,250 hours within the last 12 months. In addition to the FMLA, Texas employers may be subject to their own state laws and regulations regarding family or medical leave. For instance, the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act requires employers to treat pregnant employees in the same manner as they would any other employee with a disability related to an off-the-job injury or illness. Additionally, the Texas Payday Law requires employers to provide employees with unpaid leaves for certain military duties and jury service, and the Texas Family Code requires employers to provide up to four hours of unpaid leave to employees to attend school conferences. Employers should also remember that, in addition to these general requirements, employees may also be protected by any collective bargaining agreements or other employment contracts they have signed. Employers should make sure to understand all of their requirements when determining whether and how to provide family and medical leave.

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