Family and Medical Leave Act FMLA

In 1993, Congress passed the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide a national policy that supports families in their efforts to balance their work and family responsibilities by taking reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. The FMLA provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. ¡§The FMLA also seeks to accommodate the legitimate interests of employers, and promotes equal opportunity for men and women¡¨ (Executive Summary, 1999). …

…not only help the employee in hard times or joyful times, but to help the employer with employee retention and to build job loyalty. Most periods of leave are short, most employees return to work and reduced turnover is a positive effect. The FMLA, with the job protection and maintenance of health benefits, seems to be the best way to help support families in their efforts to balance their work and family responsibilities. - 10 -