THE FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FLMA) Jessica Watson Southern Wesleyan University

FLMA ACT • President Clinton signed the

law into effect in 1993.• The Family and Medical

Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.

• FLMA allows employees to balance work and family by allowing unpaid leave for certain circumstances.

FLMA ACT • The FLMA has eight subparts

that define the guidelines and circumstances that qualifies employees eligibility.

• Families are often hit with unforeseen circumstances and this law allows them to take a break from work and take care of family priorities.

• Employees can not be discriminated against or retaliated toward for taken leave of absence.

FLMA ACT• Eligible employees can take up

to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within the fiscal year from leave date.

• The amount for unpaid leave is different for those in active duty.

• Upon returning from FLMA, the employers must restore the employees current role and responsibility.

FLMA ACT• The FLMA Act does pose

challenges for business because they have to make sure the job get done in the absence of the employee.

• Employees can supplement income while on FLMA or do no pay, without penalty.