Do I have to give my employer notice before taking FMLA leave?

Yes, you have to give your employer notice before taking FMLA leave in Washington. 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 for qualified family and medical reasons. Under the FMLA, you are required to give your employer at least 30-days’ notice if the leave is foreseeable. If your leave is unforeseeable, then you are required to give notice as soon as is practical. When giving notice, you should tell your employer that you need leave for a qualifying reason under the FMLA. This may include, for example, your own serious health condition, the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for family members. Additionally, you may need to provide your employer with a certification form indicating that you have a qualifying need for coverage under the FMLA. When you give notice, you should also let your employer know the expected duration of your leave. If your leave will last more than one day, you should give your employer a general timeline of when you will be away. Although you may not know the exact dates and times of your leave in advance, it is important to give your employer as much notice as possible. In summary, you must give your employer notice before taking FMLA leave in Washington. Giving proper notice will help to ensure that you are able to take the leave that you need and that you are protected from any potential employer retaliation.

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