---
title: "Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, \"Family and Medical Leave Act\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: career
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Family and Medical Leave Act"
    publisher: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
    url: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

## Summary
FMLA gives eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in 12 months for qualifying family and medical reasons (26 weeks for military caregiver leave), with group health coverage continued. Eligibility: 12 months with the employer, 1,250 hours in the past year, and 50+ employees within 75 miles.

> **General information, not legal advice. State laws may give more protection; check your state labor department.**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: FMLA leave is unpaid and job-protected, and group health benefits continue on the same terms.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2
  claim: Eligible employees get up to 12 workweeks in a 12-month period for a birth, an adoption or foster placement, a serious health condition of the employee or a spouse, child, or parent, or qualifying military exigencies.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F3
  claim: Military caregiver leave allows up to 26 workweeks in a single 12-month period.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F4
  claim: Covered employers: private employers with 50+ employees in 20+ workweeks this or last year, all public agencies, and all public and private elementary and secondary schools.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5
  claim: Employees qualify after 12 months with the employer, 1,250 hours in the prior 12 months, at a site with 50+ employees within 75 miles.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F6
  claim: Leave can be intermittent or on a reduced schedule when medically necessary; for bonding with a new child, only if the employer agrees.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0

## Pointers
- answers: Full official guidance beyond this summary
  where: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
  access: open, no account