The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 entitles employees to take reasonable leave for medical reasons, for the birth or adoption of a child, and for the care of a child, spouse, or parent who has a serious health condition.
An employee taking family or medical leave is entitled to reinstatement to the position of employment held when the leave began or to an equivalent position with equivalent employment benefits, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Covered employers are those with fifty or more employees each workday during each of twenty or more calendar workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year. Eligible employees are those who have been employed by a covered employer for at least twelve months. Reasonable leave is defined as twelve work weeks in a twelve-month period. Leave need not be paid but medical coverage under any group health plan must be maintained during the leave.
