However good your health, there could come a point where you need time off work to get medical care or recover from illness or treatment. Even if your health stays strong, you might be in a position where you need time off to care for a close family member.
Another reason you might need time off is to care for a new child, be that one you give birth to or one you adopt. Finally, you also might need time off if your partner is in the armed forces and is deployed elsewhere.
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may grant you the right to get this time off from work, but it also might not. Understanding when and why it will is key.
Does your employer fall under this obligation?
Not all employers are bound by the FMLA. Those that are bound by the FMLA include businesses with at least 50 employees on the payroll, most schools and all public agencies.
Do you qualify as an employee?
Just because the FMLA applies to your employer does not mean it applies to you. To qualify, you must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and have completed at least 1,250 hours of work for them in the past 12 months. In the case of private employers, you might not be covered unless the employer employs 50 people within 75 miles of where you did the work.
How much leave can you take?
The maximum amount of leave you can take is 12 weeks in 12 months. So, if you have previously taken some, you may need to do your calculations to check your current entitlement.
Even though FMLA leave is unpaid, some employers resist giving it when they should. Or they allow it but retaliate against the employee in return. In such cases, it could be wise to learn more about your rights.