What is the Family and Medical Leave Act?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was passed in 1993 and is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor. It provides job protection and certain other rights to employees in Arizona and other states who need to take time off for their own medical issues, for the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for a family member who is ill. Under FMLA, eligible employees are allowed to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave during any 12-month period for the above purposes without the threat of termination. FMLA also requires employers to keep employees’ health insurance coverage in place while they are on leave. Employees are eligible for FMLA protections if they work for a company with 50 or more employees and have been employed for at least 12 months. An employee must also have worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous year in order to be eligible. FMLA is a federal law, but there is also state-level labor law in Arizona that includes similar provisions for employees. In some cases, state law may provide greater protections than those provided by the federal FMLA. It is important for employers to adhere to the requirements of the FMLA and state-level labor laws in order to ensure that their employees are protected and to avoid costly legal action. Also, employers should make sure that their employees are aware of their rights under the FMLA and state labor laws.

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What is the Family and Medical Leave Act?

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