Determining if Leave Counts towards FMLA

At Linton and Associates, we are always thinking of new things to inform the public about that could benefit their health, well-being, and wallets. Being that Flu season is in full effect, we thought that we would take the time to explain President Clinton’s mandated FMLA laws.

This blog posts explains the FMLA laws and touches on how your ‘leave of absence’ qualifies towards FMLA.

Breaking Down FMLA

Being that not everyone out there knows what the FMLA is we are going to start with a quick and simple explanation of it. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was established in 1993 by President Clinton.

In short, it allows you 12 weeks of paid absence from your full-time job. 

You don’t get to miss 12 weeks from your part-time gig at the burger joint. Pneumonia or not, if you miss that much time from a part time job, you are going to get let go.

During these 12 weeks, you receive full pay for your usual work week. While this is typically a five-day work week, if you have a job that often works you 6 or 7 days a week, then you will be compensated for those as well.

Of course, you don’t get to just take an FMLA leave of absence whenever you want. So when does your leave of absence begin to qualify towards the FMLA and those 12 weeks of paid absence?  

Determining if Your Absence Qualifies

We say qualifies because honestly who wouldn’t want sick pay? Sure, being sick is no good, but being the optimists that we are at Linton and Associates we tend to look for the light in the darkness. In this case, that light is the FMLA.

If you are forced to take a leave of absence from your career because of a serious illness or health issue, then you will qualify for deduction of time from your 12 weeks maximum allotted sick pay. 

If a very bad strain of the flu puts you on bed rest for two weeks, then you don’t need to be worried about not getting paid because the FMLA will kick in.

However, the FMLA is called the Family and Medical Leave Act for a reason. If a family member falls ill and you are forced to care for them or handle a family members passing or another tragic event in the family, then you also qualify under the FMLA and would be able to be paid.