Family and Medical Leave

Content in the Family and Medical Leave HR Library section is updated to reflect new federal regulations expanding Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections — effective March 8, 2013.


​The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) provide for overlapping as well as separate leaves. FMLA/CFRA leaves, their interaction with other types of leaves of absences and their administration can be confusing and time-consuming.​​​​​​​​​​​

  • Family and Medical Leave Overview

    Family and Medical Leave OverviewThis section explains employer obligations to employees eligible for family and medical leave under state and federal law.  More »

  • Family and Medical Leave Eligibility Requirements

    Family and Medical Leave Eligibility RequirementsThe following sections explain employers’ obligations to provide family and medical leave for employees.  More »

  • FMLA and CFRA Qualifying Reasons

    FMLA and CFRA Qualifying ReasonsFederal family and medical leave law (FMLA) provides eligible employees with the equivalent of up to 12 weeks per 12-month period.  More »

    ​​Read about new 2013 regulations.
  • Definitions of Terms Used in Family and Medical Leave

    Definitions of Terms Used in Family and Medical LeaveAn employee can take medical leave for his/her own “serious health condition.”   More »

    ​Rea​d about new 2013 regulations.
  • Calculating Weeks for Leave

    Calculating Weeks for Leave“Twelve weeks” means the equivalent of twelve normally scheduled workweeks.   More »

    ​​Read about new 2013 regulations.
  • Certification for Family Medical Leave

    Certification for Family Medical LeaveYou can require medical certification for an employee taking family and medical leave for his/her own serious illness or to care for a family member, except for baby-bonding time.   More »

  • Notice Requirements for Employer and Employee

    Notice Requirements for Employer and EmployeeState and federal laws create specific posting and notice obligations for employers to explain employees’ family and medical leave rights.   More »

    ​Read about a 2013 regulation.
  • Family and Medical Leave Designation

    Family and Medical Leave DesignationUnder all circumstances, it is your responsibility to designate leave as family and medical leave, based on information provided by the employee or the employee’s spokesperson, and to give the employee notice of the family and medical leave designation.  More »

  • Duration and Timing of Medical Leave

    Duration and Timing of Medical LeaveAn employee can take up to 12 workweeks of family and medical leave in a 12-month period.   More »

  • Pay and Benefits During Medical Leave

    Pay and Benefits During Medical LeaveFamily and medical leave is generally unpaid, though employees have certain rights to substitute accrued paid sick or vacation leave for the otherwise unpaid time.   More »

    Read about new 2013 regulations.
  • Leave Interactions

    Leave InteractionsControlling family and medical leave begins with recognizing a qualifying event and then notifying the employee that he/she is placed on FMLA-only, FMLA/CFRA or CFRA-only leave.  More »

    Read about new 2013 regulations.
  • Return to Work After Medical Leave

    Return to Work After Medical LeaveYou have certain obligations when an employee returns to work after taking family leave. When you grant an employee’s family leave request, you must guarantee to reinstate the employee to the same or comparable position.  More »

  • Penalties for Violating Family Medical Leave Laws

    Penalties for Violating Family Medical Leave LawsViolating family leave laws subjects employers to a civil lawsuit or administrative proceeding, and supervisors may be personally liable.  More »