Legal - Employment Legal Issues
Family and Medical Leave Act

Family and Medical Leave Act

The United States Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 requires employers covered by this law to provide up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave per year for “eligible” workers. In addition, these workers must be guaranteed their original job, or an equivalent position with equivalent pay, benefits, and other employment terms, upon their return to work.

• Eligibility requirements

• Birth and care of a newborn child

• Placement of a child for adoption or foster care

• The care of a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition

• The inability of an employee to perform his or her normal work duties due to a serious health condition

• Eligible employees must have worked for a covered employer for one year and at least 1,250 hours in the last twelve months.

• Employer requisites

Employers must continue coverage under a group health plan during the leave. Use of the leave may not result in loss or reduction of any benefits previously accrued.

The United States Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 applies, at the time of this book’s printing, to firms that employ fifty or more persons, including part-timers.

Even if your firm is not technically covered by this act, you should consider honoring it. It is just a great way to do business. You’ll look like a Scrooge if you don’t, and many of your employees won’t understand why the law doesn’t apply to them.

* Source Streetwise Small Business Start-Up