What is the difference between FMLA and short-term disability?

FMLA, or the Family and Medical Leave Act, is a federal law that provides employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to care for a family member or themselves due to a serious medical condition. The employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and have put in 1,250 hours of work in order to be eligible. Short-term disability, on the other hand, is a benefit offered by some employers that provides a set amount of compensation to eligible employees in the case of a serious illness or injury. The amount of time covered and the amount of compensation provided depends on the employer’s policy. Short-term disability is typically paid leave and may be available for a few weeks or months at the most. The main difference between FMLA and short-term disability is that FMLA provides unpaid leave while short-term disability provides paid leave. Additionally, FMLA is only offered to employees who have worked for the employer for a certain amount of time, whereas short-term disability may be available to all employees with no service requirement. It’s important to note that not all employers offer short-term disability, so it’s important to check with your employer to find out what benefits are offered.

Related FAQs

Does my employer have to keep my job open while I'm on FMLA leave?
Can I take FMLA leave for a family member's medical appointment?
Can I take FMLA leave for an employee's death or for bereavement?
Does the FMLA provide job protections if an employee is called to active duty?
Can I take FMLA leave to care for a seriously ill family member who lives out of state?
Does the FMLA cover self-care or preventive care leave?
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What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
Can I take FMLA leave if I have a serious health condition?
Does the FMLA require employers to continue to make benefits available to employees on FMLA leave?

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