Family and Medical Leave Act

This federal act guarantees workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period to attend to family and medical emergencies. To be covered by this act, an employee must have worked for the employer for at least one year and have performed more than 1,250 hours of service during the previous 12-month period. The unpaid leave can be used for the birth or care of a baby, for personal health problems or for the health problems of a spouse, child or parent.