Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Definition
A federal law that provides eligible employees with job-protected leave for family or medical reasons.
What is FMLA?
FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons, such as the birth of a child, a serious health condition, or military deployment of a family member. Eligibility and leave entitlements may vary based on employer size, employee tenure, and state laws.
Why is FMLA Important for Employers?
- Covered employers (50+ employees) must:
- Offer FMLA leave to eligible employees
- Maintain benefits during leave
- Reinstate employees to the same or equivalent job
FAQs
What does the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulate?
The FLSA governs minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor standards, and recordkeeping requirements for most employees in the U.S.
Who is covered under the FLSA?
Most employees working for private employers and federal, state, or local governments are covered. However, certain roles may be exempt based on duties and salary thresholds.
What happens if an employer violates the FLSA?
Employers may be liable for back pay, liquidated damages, civil penalties, and even DOL investigations or lawsuits.
How ExtensisHR Can Help
We manage leave compliance, including:
- Eligibility tracking and documentation
- FMLA policy creation and training
- Coordination with state leave laws
- Handling intermittent and overlapping leave scenarios