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

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that was enacted in 1993 to provide unpaid leave for workers who need to take time off from their jobs to care for themselves or a family member. The law applies to all employers with 50 or more employees and covers all types of employees including full-time, part-time, salaried, and hourly. In Arizona, FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period. During the leave, employers are required to maintain health insurance coverage for the employee on the same terms as if the employee had not taken leave. Additionally, employers are required to continue to pay benefits, such as vacation and sick pay, during FMLA leave. FMLA leave can be used for a variety of reasons including caring for a newborn or adopted child, caring for a seriously ill family member, and for the employee’s own serious health condition. Generally, employees must provide advance notice and medical certification to take FMLA leave. It is important to note that in Arizona, employers can require employees to use other forms of leave, such as vacation or sick leave, concurrently with FMLA leave. Additionally, employers are prohibited from discrimination or retaliation based on the use of FMLA leave.

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

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