Employee Protections and the Family and Medical Leave Act

Attorney Jake Posey oversees The Posey Law Firm, PC in Austin, Texas. With over a decade of experience as an attorney, Jake Posey has worked in practice areas such as employment law. He and his team have a vast knowledge of a variety of employment law topics, including those related to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Passed by US Congress nearly 25 years ago, the Family and Medical Leave Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993. Employers covered under the law are required to provide unpaid, job-protected time off to eligible employees for certain medical and family reasons. An eligible employee can take up to 12 weeks of leave during a 12-month period for the birth and early care of a child, a family illness, or a serious health condition that interferes with his or her ability to work.

To qualify for protected leave under FMLA, an employee must have worked at least 1,250 hours for their current employer in the 12 months preceding the leave request. Employees can take the 12 weeks off in one large block or spread it out as needed during the one-year period. When an employee returns from qualified leave, FMLA requires that their employer place them in the same job or one that is nearly identical without changing their pay or employment-related benefits.

If you have questions about FMLA then please contact lawyer Jake Posey and The Posey Law Firm, P.C.