What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law enacted in 1993 that provides eligible employees with job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. The FMLA allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period for specific reasons, such as the birth or adoption of a child, the serious health condition of the employee or their immediate family member, or for qualifying exigencies arising from a family member's active duty military service. Additionally, the FMLA permits eligible employees to take up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave in a single 12-month period to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness. During FMLA leave, eligible employees are entitled to maintain their group health insurance coverage under the same terms as if they were actively working. The FMLA also prohibits employers from interfering with, restraining, or denying employees' rights to take FMLA leave or retaliate against employees for exercising their FMLA rights.