THE BASIC FACTS OF FMLA

Family Medical Leave gives you the right to take up to 12 weeks per year off for a serious health condition for yourself or your immediate family. You are eligible for this leave if you have been employed for more than 1 year according to Federal Law, but some contracts may expand on the law. At Marshfield Care Center, for example, you are eligible for FMLA after 6 months of employment.

FMLA can be used 2 different ways. You make take a "block of time" up to 12 weeks for the birth of your child, a major surgery, an accident, etc. You can also take FMLA intermittently for continued care for you or your family's serious health condition. For example, if you need to take your father to his clinic appointments, because of his serious health condition you can take a day or even a portion of a day to do that.

The company does have to right to a physician certification of the serious condition of yourself or your family. There a other requirments that the company may ask for also.

If you feel you qualify for FMLA, talk to one of your stewards to find out. Don't wait until you have an attendance problem with the company. Your stewards are trained to keep conversations confidential and they can help you get on the right track.