Family and Medical Leave Act
Welcome to FindLaw's section on employees' rights to family and medical leave, including maternity leave, disability, and more. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is the federal law that allows covered employees to take extended time away from work to handle certain family or medical matters. This section contains answers to common questions on the FMLA, employee rights and responsibilities, and more. To begin, select an item from the list below.
- Family and Medical Leave: Overview
A general summary of the federal law covering time off from work for certain family and medical needs.
- Rights and Responsibilities Under the Family and Medical Leave Act
Learn about your rights and duties under the FMLA, including notice requirements and coverage limitations.
- FMLA Leave Law: In-Depth
An in-depth look at the FMLA, including information on covered employers and employees, types of leave allowed, what health conditions qualify, and more.
- FMLA Eligibility
Find out more about basic qualifications for FMLA leave.
- Qualifying Reasons for FMLA Leave
Answers to common questions about valid reasons for taking FMLA leave, serious health conditions, and more.
- Family and Medical Leave Act FAQ
Answers to common questions about the FMLA, including the amount of leave time required under the Act, how it is calculated, whether paid time off is required, and much more.
- More FMLA Topics: Bonuses, Unpaid Leave, and More
More answers to questions on common FMLA issues.
- FMLA Notice Requirements: Employers
Information on an employer's responsibilities to provide notice about claims and more.
- FMLA Notice Requirements: Employees
Answers to questions about the amount of notice, and types of information, required from employees for FMLA leave.
- FMLA Medical Certification
Learn about an employer's right to request medical certification regarding an employee's health condition.
- Return to Work Under the FMLA: Fitness for Duty Certification
An employer may require an employee to establish they are healthy enough to get back on the job.
- Paid Family and Sick Leave Laws
Information, links to resources, and details on existing state paid family and sick leave laws.
- Family and Medical Leave Laws by State
Information and links to resources on state laws that may provide expanded coverage for medical or family leave.
- Federal vs. State Family and Medical Leave Laws
Helpful links for some states that also have laws covering certain types of family and/or medical leave.
- Family and Medical Leave: Overview
- FAQ: More FMLA Topics - Paid Leave, Overtime, and Bonuses
- Federal vs. State Family and Medical Leave Laws
- FMLA Certification of Need for Leave
- FMLA Eligibility
- FMLA Leave Law: In-Depth
- FMLA Notice Requirements - Employee
- FMLA Notice Requirements - Employer
- Maternity Leave Overview
- Paid Family and Sick Leave Laws
- Reasons That Qualify For FMLA Leave
- Return to Work Under the FMLA: Fitness for Duty Certification
- Rights and Responsibilities Under the FMLA
- What is FMLA? FAQ on Federal Leave Law