Articles > FMLA requires time off for specific reasons

FMLA requires time off for specific reasons

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This article originally appeared in the February 4, 2007 edition of Boca Raton News, www.bocanews.com. Reprinted with permission.

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 requires private employers with 50 or more employees (for 20 or more weeks in either the current or the prior year) to grant employees who have worked for the employer for at least 12 months, 12 weeks of unpaid leave per 12-month period for the following reasons:

For the birth of a child or placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care, and in order to care for such child

To care for an immediate family member (child, spouse or parent) if such family member has a serious health condition; or

For the employee's serious health condition which makes the employee unable to perform the functions of his/her position.

In their weekly Boca Raton News column, Hodgson Russ partners Larry Corman and Glenn Rissman discuss FMLA rights and requirements and recommend steps employers may take to help ensure compliance with the act.