Does the FMLA cover absences due to severe weather or natural disasters?

Yes, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) does cover absences due to severe weather or natural disasters in North Carolina. The FMLA provides eligible employees with up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave for certain family and medical-related topics such as a serious health condition of the employee or an immediate family member. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, FMLA-qualifying severe weather and natural disasters include the following: “natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, pandemic health emergencies, and other similar extraordinary conditions.” If an employee in North Carolina must miss work due to a qualifying severe weather or natural disaster, they will likely be eligible for leave under the FMLA. Employees in North Carolina who take FMLA leave for severe weather or natural disaster absences are protected from any discipline or retaliation from their employer. Furthermore, the FMLA allows employees to use any pre-existing and accrued time-off benefits to cover their absence. Additionally, some employers are able to offer salary replacement for a portion of the unpaid leave for which the employee is eligible. In summary, yes, the FMLA does cover absences due to severe weather or natural disasters in North Carolina. Employees who qualify for FMLA can take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave, and they are eligible to use any pre-existing and accrued time-off benefits they have to cover the absence. Additionally, employers in North Carolina are prohibited from retaliating against their employees for taking leave due to a qualifying severe weather or natural disaster.

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Does the FMLA cover absences due to severe weather or natural disasters?

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