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What is FMLA?

FMLA stands for Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which allows eligible employees to take a family and medical leave up to 12 work weeks for any of the following reasons:

  • the birth of an employee's child;
  • the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care;
  • the care of a spouse, Civil Union partner, child or parent with a serious health condition;
  • a serious health condition which prevents the employee from performing the function of his/her job.
  • for any "qualifying exigency" when the employee's spouse, child or parent is on active duty or is notified of an impending call or order to active duty in the Armed Forces (including the Reserves and National Guard in support of a "contingency operation")
  • for the care of a spouse, Civil Union partner, child, or parent who is a service member undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is on out-patient status, or is on the temporarily disabled, retired list for a serious injury or illness. Eligible employees may take up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave during one 12-month period.