Who is considered a family member for FMLA?

Who is considered a family member for FMLA?

Covered family members under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) are the employee’s spouse, son, daughter or parent as defined in the FMLA regulations. Under the FMLA, a “spouse” means a husband or wife, including those in same-sex marriages, which were made legal in all 50 United States as of June 26, 2015.

Can an employee take FMLA leave to care for a sibling?

As an initial matter, courts have quickly shut the door on employees seeking FMLA protection to care for their siblings: Smith v. Women’s Healthcare: ” [t]he care of a sibling…is not protected under either state or federal law;” therefore, care for a sister is “a matter of [an employer’s] discretion.”

What makes an employee eligible for FMLA leave?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, FMLA allows eligible employees to take leave for any of the following reasons: Care for an immediate family member (a spouse, child, or parent) who has a serious health condition What Counts as a “Serious Health Condition” Under FMLA?

What can I do with intermittent FMLA leave?

Intermittent FMLA Leave: This offers more flexibility with your time off. For example, if you know you’re going to need to attend regular doctor appointments for yourself or with a loved one, this allows you to leave work to do so. Any hours or days you take off will be counted toward the 12-week total.

Do you have to take FMLA for one stretch?

Yes, that’s a long time. But there’s more: Your FMLA leave doesn’t need to be taken continuously in one stretch. There are numerous different structures for leave, including: Intermittent FMLA Leave: This offers more flexibility with your time off.

Can FMLA be used for a sister?

A sister is a family member for purposes of FMLA coverage. Assuming you met the eligibility requirements and had not exhausted your FMLA coverage, your employer would have been obligated to give you protected time off to care for a sister who had a serious health condition. You should consult in personn with an employment lawyer,…

Do siblings qualify for FMLA?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take job- protected unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons. Siblings have never been explicitly included in the FMLA, which lists eligible family members as a parent, spouse, son, or daughter.

What qualifies me for FMLA?

Qualifying for FMLA. Conditions that qualify an employee for FMLA include the birth of a child and taking care of a newborn, placement of a child for adoption or state ordered foster care, an employee’s serious health condition, or the need to care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition.

When do you start FMLA?

FMLA starts on the day designated by the employee and employer as the first day of leave. This is true in most cases when the employee gives the employer a written request thirty days in advance.