The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was passed in 1993 to help provide job security to employees who need leave due to family emergencies.

Eligibility:

· To be eligible for FMLA leave an employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months for at least 1,250 hours of services during the previous 12-month period.

· The employer must employ at least 50 employees at any location within 75 miles of where the employee needing FMLA works.

FMLA Leave entitles an employee to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12 month period for one or more of the following:

· The birth of a son or daughter of the employee and in order to care for the newborn son or daughter;

· The placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster care;

· The employee must need the leave for to care a parent, child or spouse with a serious health condition;

· The employee because of a serious health condition is unable to perform the functions of his or her employment position.

· A serious health condition is considered an illness, injury, impairment or physical or mental condition that involves either inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility; or continuing treatment by a health care provider;

Notice Requirement: An employee is required to give an employer notice for FORESEEABLE leave needs.

· If the need for leave is due to the birth or adoption of a child the employee is required to provide the employer with no less than 30 days notice before the leave is to begin, or the employee's intention to take leave for those reasons, if the date of the birth or placement requires leave to begin in less than 30 days then the employee must provide REASONABLE NOTICE.

· If the need for leave is a result of the need for treatment of a serious health condition of either the employee, a parent, child or spouse and is FORESEEABLE, the employee

· Must make a reasonable effort to schedule the treatment so as not to disrupt the employers business operations, subject to the approval of the healthcare provider of the employee, parent, child or spouse, as is appropriate; and

· Must provide the employer with not less than 30 days notice before the date the leave is to begin, or the employee's intention to take leave, unless the treatment requires leave to being in less than 30 days then the employee must provide REASONABLE NOTICE.

Certification: An employer may require that a request for leave be supported by a certification signed by the health care provider of the employee or the health care provider of the employee's parent, spouse or child. The certification must be provided in a timely manner to the employer.