If your child is dealing with an illness, it is likely that you will need to take time to care for them. This will have the potential to impact your working hours, and you may feel compelled to take time off work as a result.
However, many parents in the state of Pennsylvania are not sure of what their rights are when it comes to taking time off work for this matter. They often fear that in taking time off to care for their sick child, they put themselves at risk of being fired.
Do I have the right to take time off work in order to care for my sick child in the state of Pennsylvania?
The majority of employers must follow the rules and regulations stated in the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This act states that employees have the right to take job-protected, unpaid leave in order to care for a sick family member for up to 12 weeks of any given working year.
If you are eligible for FMLA protections, you should give your employer notice of this leave as soon as it is possible for you to do so. However, the reality is that you may not be able to give notice until a few hours before you need to start work if your child becomes suddenly unwell.
It is important that you stand up for your right to take FMLA leave as a working parent in the state of Pennsylvania. An attorney can help you understand your legal options and what to do if you have been denied FMLA leave.
