The Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) is a federal law that entitles covered employees to receive up to twelve weeks per year of unpaid time off to care for themselves or a sick family member. To qualify for FMLA, an employee must work at least 1,250 hours in the prior twelve months for an employer with fifty or more employees.

 

Some employers permit their employees to exercise the right to FMLA but resent the employees when they return to work. The FMLA also provides protection against retaliation. This makes it illegal for an employer to terminate or mistreat an employee for exercising FMLA rights.