Can an employee take FMLA leave to care for a family member with an illness that requires frequent medical treatment?

Yes, an employee in Washington can take FMLA leave to care for a family member with an illness that requires frequent medical treatment. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year (or 26 weeks for military-related leave) for a variety of reasons. Under the FMLA, an employee can take leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition and receive the same job protection and benefit continuation that any other type of FMLA leave entitles them to. A “serious health condition” is defined by the Department of Labor as an illness, injury, or impairment that requires inpatient care or continuing treatment by a health care provider. Frequent medical treatment for a serious health condition would fall under this definition. Therefore, an employee in Washington can take FMLA leave to care for a family member with an illness that requires frequent medical treatment. It is important to note, however, that the employee must meet eligibility requirements in order to take leave under FMLA and that the leave must be taken in increments of no less than one day. Additionally, an employer can require reasonable documentation from a health care provider to prove that the leave is warranted.

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Can an employee take FMLA leave to care for a family member with an illness that requires frequent medical treatment?

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