Family & Medical Leaves (FMLA)

Outten & Golden attorneys are experienced at protecting their clients’ rights under the Family Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, which is a federal law that provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave in a 12-month period for certain family and medical reasons. An employee does not have to take all 12 weeks of FMLA leave at once. If she or he needs to care for an ill family member or requires frequent doctor’s visits or treatment for her or his own serious health condition, the employee may be able to take FMLA leave intermittently to cover those absences.

It is illegal to deny FMLA leave to an eligible employee or to discriminate or retaliate against an employee for requesting or taking FMLA leave. While FMLA leave is unpaid, employees are entitled to continue group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions available to them before the leave. With certain exceptions, upon an employee’s return from FMLA leave, an employer is obligated to reinstate the employee to the position held before taking leave or to a position with equivalent benefits, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment. If an employer does not meet these obligations, Outten & Golden lawyers can help our clients defend their legal rights.