Sometimes, employees really need to take a leave of absence from work. The reason might be because of family responsibilities, medical needs, or obligations due to uniformed service. There are laws that let you do that.
Family Medical Leave Act
The federal Family Medical Leave Act allows qualified employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period. The FMLA guarantees the employee benefits during the leave and job protection when they return. Employees may take leave under the FMLA for the birth or adoption of a child, a serious health condition, or an immediate family member’s serious health condition. Read more »
Uniformed Service Members
Members of the U.S. military services face challenges when they are called to active duty. The USERRA and FMLA give our uniformed service members, and their families, job protections to make it easier to serve and return from service. Read more »
District of Columbia Leave Laws
The D.C. Family Medical Leave Act (“DCFMLA”) is broader than its federal counter-part. The DCFMLA law allows up to 16 weeks of family leave and 16 weeks of medical leave within a 24-month period and applies to employers with just 20 or more employees. To qualify for DCFMLA leave, you have to have worked at least 1,000 hours for the employer during the 12 months prior to your leave request.
DC law also provides up to 24 hours of leave for parents or guardians to attend their child’s school-related activities and up to 5 days paid jury duty.