For the last two weeks here at Neaton & Puklich, we have discussed what the Family and Medical Leave Act is and who is eligible to take it in Chaska, Minnesota. This week we will talk about the reasons that qualify for taking FMLA leave.
As discussed last week, the U.S. Department of Labor states that FMLA leave can be taken by employees who work for a covered employer. The reasons FMLA leave can be taken include serious health conditions, military family leave, or the birth, adoption or fostering of a child.
Serious health conditions may apply to yourself, your spouse, child or parent. The meaning of the term “serious” can vary widely, but conditions that typically qualify for FMLA leave meet one of the following criteria:
- Chronic conditions that require medical treatment at least twice a year and cause you or a family member to be occasionally incapacitated.
- More than three days in a row of incapacitation for you or a close family member or if you or your loved one’s condition requires ongoing medical care.
- Requires a stay overnight in a medical car facility.
- Pregnancy.
Certain military deployments may enable you to take FMLA leave. If you are responsible for caring for a covered military member who has a serious injury or sickness, in any given 12-month period, you may take up to 26 weeks FMLA leave.
In order to bond and care for a child who has just been born, adopted or fostered into your family, you may take FMLA leave. Men have just as much right to take FMLA leave for this reason as women. The leave must be taken within one year after the birth or placement and must be taken in one time block, unless the employer agrees with another arrangement.
Next week we will be talking about the procedures for requesting and taking FMLA leave. For more information on this subject, please visit our FMLA employee rights page.