Employees in Florida can find themselves subject to many different situations that require them to take time away from work. When these situations require you to take more than one or two days away from a job, you must find other ways to make arrangements with your employer. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act is legislation that gives you the right to take such time away from a job. While you are on leave, your job and your benefits will be retained.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, time away from a job under the FMLA is always unpaid. It can be combined with other paid forms of leave such as sick time or vacation time. Employers even have the authority to require you use paid time either first or in conjunction with FMLA time. For most people, a maximum of 12 weeks per 12-month period can be taken under the Family and Medical Leave Act. This can be extended to 26 weeks if care is provided to a member of the U.S. military.
You can be eligible for time away from your job under the FMLA if you are personally incapacitated or if you are required to care for your spouse, parent or child. This care can be for an unforeseen medical situation or for a planned situation such as the birth or adoption of a new baby or child.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but general information about employee benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act in Florida.
