The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires covered employers to allow eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks off work for things like the birth of a baby or a serious medical condition. Employers must have at least 50 employees to be covered by FMLA regulations, and employees must have worked there for at least 1 year to be eligible.
Reasons for FMLA
Eligible employees can take FMLA if they have a serious medical condition, to care for a relative with a serious medical condition, if they have a baby or if they adopt a baby. The FMLA does not cover the death of a relative.
Care for a Relative
The FMLA requires employers to allow employees time off to care for a relative (child, spouse or parent) with a serious medical condition. This involves caring for a relative during life, however, not after death.
Death of a Relative
The FMLA does not require employers to allow employees to take time off for the death of a relative. Many employers do allow employees to take time off, either paid or unpaid, for the death of a family member, but FMLA does not come into play then.
Requesting FMLA
Most employers have specific paperwork that employees must complete to request FMLA. Employees should check with their Human Resources department.
Requesting Time Off for the Death of a Relative
Employees should check with their Human Resources department about company policy regarding time off for the death of a relative. Employers may require employees to complete specific paperwork to request time off.
