What are the rights of workers under the Family and Medical Leave Act?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that grants certain rights to employees working in Washington State in regards to taking leave. Under the FMLA, eligible employees may take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave during any twelve-month period for family and medical reasons. Examples of reasons that may be covered under the FMLA include having a newborn or adopted child, caring for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or taking time off due to a serious personal health condition. The rights of employees under the FMLA include being able to take up to twelve weeks of leave without being terminated or demoted, having their health benefits continue while they are on leave, and returning to the same or equivalent job with the same pay and benefits after the leave period has ended. Further, employees have the right to be free from retaliation for taking FMLA-protected leave. Additionally, employers may be required to provide unpaid leave for military family members for matters related to the active duty or call to active duty of the service member. Finally, employees may also be eligible for leave under the Washington State Family Leave Act which provides up to twelve weeks of leave to take care of a family member or bond with a new child, or up to five weeks of leave for qualifying exigencies arising from an immediate family member’s active duty status. In sum, the Family and Medical Leave Act, as well as the Washington State Family Leave Act, grants certain rights to employees in Washington State, allowing them to take leave for family and medical reasons without fear of being terminated or demoted, and with the assurance of returning to the same or equivalent job with the same pay and benefits after their leave ends.

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What are the rights of workers under the Family and Medical Leave Act?

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