What is the Family and Medical Leave Act?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that was passed in 1993. It provides for up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain medical and family reasons for eligible employees. This leave can be taken for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, or for the employee’s own serious health condition. Additionally, the law makes it illegal for employers to fire or discriminate against employees who take FMLA leave. In Maryland, the state law provides job-protected family leave for any eligible Marylander who is a parent, foster parent, adoptive parent, or legal guardian of a minor child. If taking this leave, employees are eligible for up to 6 weeks of unpaid leave with the ability to use vacation or personal leave time to make up for the lost wages. Under the FMLA, employers must also provide up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave to workers who are caring for members of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, with serious injury or illness. Overall, the FMLA ensures that workers can take unpaid leave for important medical or family reasons without fear of losing their job or facing discrimination. It is an important law that helps protect the rights of employees in the state of Maryland.

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What is the Family and Medical Leave Act?

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