Family and Medical Leave Act Definition

Term Definition
The FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) is a U.S. federal law that requires employers to grant employees time off for specific family and medical reasons. Up to 12 weeks of leaves can be granted in a 12-month period.

Extended Definition
The FMLA directs employers to grant up to 12 weeks of job-protected leaves (in a 12-month period) to employees, for established family and health reasons. The reasons include 1.) caring for a new child (by birth, foster care, adoption) 2.) tending to family members with serious health conditions 3.) serious health issues that prevent the employee from performing his/her work duties 4.) emergencies that occur as a result of the employee’s family member being notified of or serving “covered active duty” in the U.S. Armed Forces. Employees who must tend to a “covered service member” with a serious injury or illness are also entitled to up to 26 weeks of leave in a 12-month period. The service member should be the employee’s daughter, son, parent, spouse, or next of kin.

Related Article:
What Small Businesses Should Know About FMLA Rules