It’s extremely difficult to determine what to do when someone you love is sick. Do you take time off work? Can you miss work without losing your job? Can you take leave or do you have to use sick time?
The fortunate thing is that many people fall under the protection of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA was designed to protect people who have to take off work for a period of time due to your child’s birth, the placement of a child into your care or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. You may also take leave if you need to take care of your own serious medical condition.
The FMLA covers those who have been on the job with their current employers for at least 12 months. You also need to show that you’ve worked 1,250 hours or more. It also applies to employees of schools and public agencies. The company must employ at least 50 employees within 75 miles. If the employee qualifies, he or she may take time off without the risk of losing the position. There is a limit of 12 weeks in most cases, and it is unpaid time off.
The good news about the FMLA is that your job will be waiting for you when you return to work. Whether you’re dealing with personal health concerns, have to take care of a loved one who is in the hospital, requiring care at home or bringing home a child, you deserve to take time off without worrying about your job.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, “FMLA (Family & Medical Leave),” accessed May 10, 2018