Taking Family and Medical Leave
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives employees the right to take time off work for certain health issues and caregiving obligations. As originally passed in 1993, the law gave employees the right to take time off to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or recover from their own serious health condition. In 2008, the law was expanded to also provide military family leave: Employees may now take FMLA leave to deal with certain practical matters arising from a family member's deployment or to care for a family member who is seriously injured while serving in the military.
The articles in this section explain employee rights and obligations under this important federal law. They also provide information on state family and medical leave laws, some of which are more generous than the federal FMLA regulations.
For even more information, see Nolo's book The Essential Guide to Family & Medical Leave.
Learn about the FMLA, state laws, eligibility, regulations, and employer policies governing family and medical leave.
Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees have the right to take time off to care for a family member with a serious health condition or to recuperate from their own serious health condition, among other things.
Employees may take FMLA leave when a military family member is injured or called to active duty.
Learn your rights when it comes to returning to work after FMLA leave.
Everything you need to know to take FMLA and make a smooth transition back to work.
Learn some common ways employers violate the FMLA.
Learn about the different ways that you can be compensated in your FMLA case.
Basic information about employee rights under the FMLA.
Get FMLA information and forms from the federal Department of Labor's main FMLA page.
If you want to go straight to the source, you can read the FMLA here.
The Family and Medical Leave Act covers only larger employers, those with at least 50 employees. And, it covers only employees who meet three requirements.
I thought the company had to pay for my health insurance while I'm on FMLA leave.
Learn the rules and laws around FMLA "renewal".
But once that time is over, don't employers have to offer the same amount of time to male and female employees?
Can I use my paid leave at the same time? Are there any other laws or programs I can use to get paid for this time off?
Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo
Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.
Online Form
Business Negotiation Nondisclosure Agreement
Online Form
Consent to Background Check
Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.
More Legal Issues
Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.
Corporations Car Accidents Criminal Law Debt Management Disability Law Divorce & Family Law
Learn About Our Team
Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.
Need a Lawyer? We Can Help
Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.
Describe Your Case
Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.
Get Connected
We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.
Hire an Attorney
Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.
Nolo Legal Dictionary
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Are You an Attorney?
Grow your firm with Martindale-Nolo, the largest legal network, and learn more about our attorney lead-generation and marketing services.
Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Copyright ©2025 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Consumer Health Data Notice.
Your Privacy Choices