The FMLA is a federal law that requires covered employers to provide up to twelve (12) weeks of unpaid leave in any twelve (12) month period to eligible employees:
- For the birth of a son or daughter, and to bond with the newborn child;
- For the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care, and to bond with that child;
- To care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent – but not a parent “in-law”) with a serious health condition
- To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition; or
- For qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent is on covered active duty or call to covered active duty status as a member of the National Guard, Reserves, or Regular Armed Forces.
The FMLA also requires covered employers to provide up to twenty-six (26) weeks of unpaid leave in a single 12-month period to eligible employees to care for a covered service member because of such service member’s serious illness or injury.
