Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

   The US Congress passed the Family Medical Leave Act in 1993.  It is a remarkable statute and provides a lengthy amount of time off to certain protected employees.  An eligible employee is entitled to a total of 12 workweeks of leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the following:

• Because of the birth of a son or daughter of the employee and in order to care for such son or daughter.
• Because of the placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster care.
• In order to care for the spouse, or a son, daughter, or parent, of the employee, if such spouse, son, daughter, or parent has a serious health condition.
• Because of a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the functions of the position of such employee.

   The term "eligible employee" means an employee who has been employed-

• for at least 12 months by the employer with respect to whom leave is requested under section 102; and
• for at least 1,250 hours of service with such employer during the previous 12-month period.                     

   The employer must employ 50 or more employees within a 75 mile radius of the worksite.