Frequently Asked Questions

What are the specific situations that qualify an employee for FMLA leave?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons. However, not all situations qualify for FMLA leave. The specific situations that qualify an employee for FMLA leave include when the employee or a family member is suffering from a serious health condition, such as a chronic illness, inpatient treatment, or the inability to engage in routine daily tasks for more than three days. Another qualifying situation is when the employee needs to care for a family member with a serious medical condition. The family members covered by FMLA include spouses, children, and parents. However, in-laws, grandparents, siblings, and domestic partners of both the opposite sex and same sex are not covered. FMLA leave can also be used when an employee is caring for a new child in the home, either through birth, adoption, or foster care. The leave can be taken within one year of the child being born or placed in the home, and in some cases, it can begin before the child is in the home for reasons such as prenatal care or preparing the house for the foster child or adopted child.