FMLA turns 20, agency says law is working

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act turns 20 this year, and the U.S. Labor Department is marking the anniversary by releasing a survey that shows the law helps both companies and employees.

President Bill Clinton signed the FLMA into law in 1993. The act provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year for the birth or adoption of a child or for personal or family medical emergencies.  The law was later amended to allow  relatives up to 26 work weeks of leave a year to care for a service member with a serious illness or injury.

“The FMLA has helped millions upon millions of working families manage challenging personal circumstances at very little cost to their employers and with very little disruption in the workplace,” said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris.

The provisions apply to companies with at least 50 employees. Employers don’t have to pay employees during the leave, but the companies have to preserve workers’ jobs and benefits.  

Click here for more on the survey.