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.
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Taking Family and Medical Leave
Learn about the FMLA, state laws, eligibility, regulations, and employer policies governing family and medical leave.
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Your Rights While on FMLA Leave
Understand your rights during and after FMLA leave.
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What Is a Serious Health Condition Under the FMLA?
Not every illness or ailment counts as an FMLA-qualified serious health condition.
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FMLA Forms and More: Employee Notice and Certification Requirements Under the FMLA
To take FMLA leave, you must meet the notice and paperwork requirements.
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Military Family Leave for Employees
Employees may take FMLA leave when a military family member is injured or called to active duty.
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Reinstatement Under the FMLA: Returning to Work After Your Leave
Learn your rights when it comes to returning to work after FMLA leave.
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Learn who can take FMLA, for what reasons, and for how long.
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Planning Your Leave: An Employee's FMLA Checklist
Everything you need to know to take FMLA and make a smooth transition back to work.
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Do You Have an FMLA Claim Against Your Employer?
Learn some common ways employers violate the FMLA.
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Family and Medical Leave: When You Should Talk to a Lawyer
Learn how a lawyer can help you request and receive FMLA leave.
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What Money Damages Are Available If You Win an FMLA Case?
Learn about the different ways that you can be compensated in your FMLA case.
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FMLA Factsheet from the Department of Labor
Basic information about employee rights under the FMLA.
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The Department of Labor's FMLA Page
Get FMLA information and forms from the federal Department of Labor's main FMLA page.
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The Family and Medical Leave Act
If you want to go straight to the source, you can read the FMLA here.
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Are part-time employees eligible for FMLA leave?
Does the law apply to employees who work part time?
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Do I have to pay for my health insurance while I'm on FMLA leave?
I thought the company had to pay for my health insurance while I'm on FMLA leave.
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Am I really a "key" employee under the FMLA?
Can they deny me the right to take time off when I have a baby? What is a key employee, anyway?
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When do my 12 weeks of FMLA leave "renew?"
Should I schedule my surgery for January, to make sure I have my full 12 weeks available?
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Can my employer give more leave to new mothers than to new fathers?
But once that time is over, don't employers have to offer the same amount of time to male and female employees?
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Can I get paid during maternity leave?
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?
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