How does the FMLA affect an employee's eligibility for benefits?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that gives certain employees the right to take time off from work for an extended period of time without risking their job security or benefits eligibility. The FMLA provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave. This leave is available to take care of a family medical emergency, have a baby, bond with a new child, or care for a family member with a serious health condition. In Washington, employers are required to provide eligible employees with unpaid FMLA leave and are prohibited from retaliating against employees who take advantage of the law. The law also prohibits employers from denying employees benefits eligibility in order to discourage them from taking FMLA leave. When employees take FMLA leave, they remain eligible for most of their benefits, including health insurance, retirement savings plans, and vacation and sick pay. Their employers must continue to contribute to their health insurance premiums during their leave. Likewise, when employees return from their leave, they must be restored to their original or an equivalent position with the same benefits eligibility, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment. In short, the FMLA protects employees in Washington by allowing them to take time off from work for a family or medical emergency without worrying about their benefits eligibility. Eligible employees taking FMLA leave remain eligible for most of their benefits, and when they return, they must be restored to their original or an equivalent position with the same benefits.

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How does the FMLA affect an employee's eligibility for benefits?

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