The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with job-protected, unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons. This includes the birth and care of a newborn child, placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care, care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition, or a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform essential job functions. Eligibility is typically tied to employer size and employee tenure.
Access to such leave is vital for work-life balance, providing employees with the necessary time to address personal and familial matters without jeopardizing their employment. This can lead to improved employee morale, reduced stress, and greater productivity upon return to work. The FMLA was enacted in 1993 to help balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families. Its intent is to promote the stability and economic security of families while preserving family integrity.