{"id":357731,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/fmla-eligibility.html"},"modified":"2024-03-19T13:56:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T18:56:47","slug":"fmla-eligibility","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/fmla-eligibility.html","title":{"rendered":"FMLA Eligibility"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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FMLA Eligibility<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

When your work demands collide with family responsibilities, you may be eligible for unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)<\/a>. The FMLA requires covered employers to grant job-protected leave to eligible employees for specific reasons.<\/p>\r\n

The FMLA is a federal law applying to companies with over 50 employees. Some state laws mirror the federal law but apply to smaller businesses. Business owners should check their state and local laws when deciding on their employees’ leave policy.<\/p>\r\n

FMLA Eligibility Requirements<\/h2>\r\n

The FMLA provides workers with 12 weeks of unpaid leave in addition to any other paid sick leave, vacation time, or paid time off they have through their employer. Eligible employees may take intermittent leave or take 12 weeks of leave at once. Covered employers must grant reasonable leave requests.<\/p>\r\n

Employee Eligibility Requirements<\/h3>\r\n

Under FMLA, eligible employees may take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period with job reinstatement privileges<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

FMLA leave isn’t available to all workers. FMLA eligibility requires you to meet the following criteria:<\/p>\r\n