Can an employee take FMLA leave for a vacation?

No, an employee cannot take Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave to go on vacation. FMLA laws are federal laws that allow an eligible employee to take unpaid, job-protected leave for a qualifying need or condition. In Washington, the FMLA applies to employers with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius and employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the previous 12 months. The laws cover different types of medical conditions, including serious health conditions. Vacations are not a qualifying medical condition and therefore are not covered by FMLA. Employees who would like to take an extended leave for a vacation should refer to their employer’s policy and procedures. Most employers have specific policies that address vacations and extended leaves. The employer’s policy will typically explain the required procedures for requesting a leave and the specific details related to the request. If an employee meets the criteria for FMLA leave, the employer must grant the leave, but vacations do not fall under this designation.

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Can an employee take FMLA leave for a vacation?

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