Definitions and Sources

The Labor Department has provided the following FMLA general definitions.

• Employee benefits: Benefits provided or available to employees, such as health, life and disability insurance; sick leave; educational reimbursement; and pensions.
• Health care provider: A doctor licensed to practice medicine or surgery by the state and any other person determined capable of providing health care services.
• Serious health condition: A physical illness, injury, impairment or mental health condition requiring either inpatient care in a hospital, hospice or residential medical facility or continuing outpatient treatment by a health care provider.
• Son, daughter: Biological, adopted and foster children, stepchildren and legal wards, including children of a guardian acting in place of the parent, who are younger than 18.

Additional Information

Overview
Fact sheet
Who is covered
State labor offices
Comparison of federal and state labor laws
Requirements for foreseeable FMLA leave notice

Last updated: Oct. 1, 2008