What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that requires employers in Washington to provide eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. This includes time off for the birth or adoption of a child, the need to care for a seriously ill family member, or the employee’s own serious health issue. To be eligible for FMLA benefits, an employee must work for at least 12 months for the same employer and have worked for at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to when the leave is requested. In addition to unpaid leave, the FMLA also requires employers to continue to provide health insurance coverage for employees while they are on leave. After returning from FMLA leave, employees must be reinstated to their original or equivalent job with the same benefits, pay, and other job conditions. Finally, employers must also protect employees from any type of retaliation for taking leave under the FMLA. The FMLA only applies to employers who have at least 50 employees, and employees must be notified of their eligibility for FMLA leave. The Department of Labor monitors and enforces FMLA compliance. If any employer fails to comply with the FMLA, they can be subject to fines and other penalties, including lawsuit judgments.

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What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

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