When you or a loved one experiences a serious condition that requires you to take time off from work, the stress from worrying about keeping your job may add to an already difficult situation.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may be able to help.  Whether you are unable to work because of your own serious health contdition, or because you need to care for your parent, spouse, or child with a serious health condition, the FMLA provides unpaid, job-protected leave.  Leave may be taken all at once, or may be taken intermittently as the medical condition requires.

Family and Medical Leave Act Employee Guide

As part of the U.S. Department’s continuing effort to spread the word about the FMLA and make the FMLA more accessible, The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has released an Employee Guide to the FMLA, a 16-page, plain language booklet designed to answer common FMLA questions and clarify who can take FMLA leave and what protections the FMLA provides.  This guide provides a simple overview of how the FMLA may benefit you.  In your time of need, sometimes you just need time.

The Employee Guide specifically addresses:

• Who can use FMLA? (Coverage and Eligibility)
• When can I use FMLA? (Qualifying reasons to take FMLA)
• What can the FMLA do for me? (FMLA rights and protections)
• How do I request FMLA leave?
• Communication with Employer (Employer and Employee Notices)
• Medical Certification
• Returning to Work (Reinstatement rights)
• How to File a Complaint

You can download a copy of the FMLA Employee Guide by clicking below:

www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/employeeguide.htm