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 State to provide job-protected leave for eligible employees. It allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. The FMLA includes up to 26 weeks of leave for any qualifying exigency arising out of the active duty or call to active duty of a covered military member. To be eligible for FMLA leave, an employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to the start of the leave. Employees are eligible to take FMLA leave for any of the following qualifying events: the birth and care of a newborn child; the care of a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition; a serious health condition that makes an employee unable to perform his or her job; or a qualifying exigency arising out of the active duty or call to active duty of a covered military member. When an employee returns from FMLA leave, the employer must restore the employee to the same or an equivalent job. The employee is also entitled to the same pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. Employers in Washington are prohibited from retaliating or discriminating against employees who exercise their right to take FMLA leave.

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

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