The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 was designed to protect your job while you take time off work due to a serious health condition.

You can use this leave for 1) your own serious health condition, 2) to care for your spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition, 3) bonding time after the birth of a child or after the placement of a child for adoption or foster care, 4) military leave, which is eligible for 26 weeks of leave in a 12-month period, or 5) to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness, also eligible for up to 26 weeks of leave in a 12-month period.

To be eligible for FMLA, you must have worked for the City for at least 12 months and have worked for at least 1,250 hours during that 12 months before you take leave. If you are eligible for FMLA, you are allowed 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period. 

FMLA Leave is unpaid leave. However, sick and annual leave balances may be used to receive a paycheck while out on FMLA. 

Employees are required to provide 30-day advance notice of the need to take FMLA leave when the need is foreseeable and such notice is practicable. When the need for leave is not foreseeable, the employee must provide notice to the employer as soon as practicable under the facts and circumstances of the particular case. Employees must submit an FMLA application and medical certification to the Employee Benefits Department to apply for FMLA leave.

For more information about FMLA, please contact Employee Benefits at 865-215-2111.