
FMLA MIL entitlement provides eligible employees with up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave for certain family and military reasons.
Eligible employees can take FMLA MIL leave for military caregiver leave, qualifying exigency, or military caregiver leave for a covered family member.
Employees taking FMLA MIL leave are protected from job loss and retaliation, but must provide advance notice whenever possible.
A covered family member includes a spouse, child, parent, or next of kin.
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Eligibility and Conditions
To be eligible for FMLA leave, you must work for a covered employer, which typically has at least 50 employees within 75 miles of your work location.
You also need to have worked 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to taking leave, and have been employed by the company for 12 months. The 12 months of employment don't have to be consecutive, but only employment within seven years counts unless you took a break for military service or a collective bargaining agreement.
The 1,250 hours include only the hours you actually worked for your employer, and don't include paid leave or unpaid leave, including FMLA leave itself.
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Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for FMLA leave, you must work for a covered employer, which is typically one with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius.
You'll also need to have worked 1,250 hours in the 12 months prior to taking leave, unless you're an airline flight crew member, in which case special rules apply.
The 1,250 hours don't include paid leave or unpaid leave, including FMLA leave itself.
You can still qualify for FMLA leave even if your 12 months of employment weren't consecutive, as long as you've worked for your employer for at least 12 months in the past 7 years.
Here are the basic eligibility requirements in a nutshell:
To be eligible for FMLA Military Family Leave, you'll need to work for a covered employer, which includes government agencies and schools, even if they have fewer than 50 employees.
Mental Health
Mental health plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for certain programs and services. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition, affecting over 19% of adults in the US.
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Individuals with a history of mental health conditions may face unique challenges in their daily lives. A study found that 50% of adults with a mental health condition experience some form of disability.
Mental health conditions can impact an individual's ability to work and earn a living. Research shows that people with a mental health condition are 25% less likely to be employed than those without a condition.
People with mental health conditions may require accommodations in the workplace to succeed. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, including mental health conditions.
Mental health conditions can also impact an individual's relationships and social connections. A study found that people with a mental health condition are 2.5 times more likely to experience social isolation.
FMLA Entitlement
FMLA entitlement is a crucial aspect of understanding your rights as a military member. You're entitled to take up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave for certain family and military care issues.
To qualify, you must have completed at least 12 months of service. This includes active duty, active Guard/Reserve duty, or a combination of both.
The leave can be taken for various reasons, including the serious illness or injury of a covered family member. This includes spouses, children, parents, and next of kin.
Important Definitions
FMLA stands for the Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal law that provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons.
The law defines a "family member" as a spouse, child, or parent, including biological, adoptive, and foster relationships.
An eligible employee is one who has worked for their employer for at least 12 months and has completed at least 1,250 hours of service in the 12 months preceding the start of leave.
FMLA leave can be taken for a serious health condition, which is defined as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility.
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A serious health condition can also include a period of incapacity of more than three consecutive calendar days, and any subsequent treatment or recovery time related to the condition.
FMLA leave can also be taken to care for a family member with a serious health condition, including a spouse, child, or parent.
A healthcare provider's certification is required to support an employee's FMLA leave request, which should include the expected duration of the leave and any necessary medical documentation.
Medical Certification and Requirements
Medical certification is a crucial part of the FMLA process. An agency may accept an employee's self-certification of the need for FMLA leave for a serious health condition or may require a written medical certification from the healthcare provider of the employee or their family member.
The medical certification must include specific information, which is outlined in OPM's regulations. Agencies may only request this information and cannot ask for personal or confidential details. If the employee submits an incomplete certification, the agency may require that the missing information be provided.
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The employee must provide the medical certification no later than 15 calendar days after the agency requests it. If they are unable to meet this deadline, they must provide it no later than 30 calendar days after the request. The agency may not request new information from the healthcare provider if the employee submits a completed certification.
Here are the reasons for which an eligible employee can use FMLA leave:
- for the birth of a son or daughter, and to bond with the newborn child;
- for the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care, and to bond with that child;
- to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition;
- to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition; or
- for qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee's spouse, son, daughter, or parent is on covered active duty or call to covered active duty status as a member of the National Guard, Reserves, or Regular Armed Forces.
Serious Health Condition
A serious health condition can be a difficult topic to discuss, but it's essential to understand the medical certification requirements for FMLA leave. The FMLA regulations specify that a medical certification must be provided by the healthcare provider of the employee or their family member, depending on the reason for leave.
The medical certification form may be obtained from the DOL or created by the agency, but it must only request the information specified in OPM's regulations. This means that agencies cannot require personal or confidential information beyond what is specified.
If an employee submits an incomplete medical certification, the agency may request that the missing information be provided. However, if the employee submits a completed certification, the agency cannot request new information from the healthcare provider.
Fortunately, the FMLA regulations do not require a diagnosis on the medical certification form. In fact, the current FMLA Medical Certification Form for Employee's Serious Health Condition - WH-380-E permits but does not require a diagnosis.
Here are the reasons for taking FMLA leave due to a serious health condition:
- Caring for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition
- For the employee's own serious health condition
Medical Certification
Medical Certification is a crucial part of the FMLA process. An agency may accept an employee's self-certification of the need for FMLA leave for a serious health condition or may require a written medical certification from the health care provider of the employee or the health care provider of the employee's spouse, son, daughter, or parent.
The medical certification form must include specific information as specified in OPM's regulations. Agencies may use the forms developed by DOL or create their own FMLA medical certification forms. The information on the medical certification may relate only to the serious health condition for which the need for FMLA leave exists.
Agencies may not require any personal or confidential information other than that specified in regulations. If the employee submits a medical certification that is incomplete, the agency may require that the missing information be provided. A health care provider representing the agency may contact the health care provider who completed the medical certification, with the employee's permission, for purposes of clarifying the medical certification.
The FMLA regulations do not require that the medical certification include a diagnosis. The current FMLA Medical Certification Form for Employee's Serious Health Condition - WH-380-E permits, but does not require, that the healthcare provider include a diagnosis.
An employee must provide the medical certification no later than 15 calendar days after the date the agency requests it. If the employee is unable to meet this deadline, despite diligent, good faith efforts, the employee must provide the medical certification no later than 30 calendar days after the agency's request.
A table outlining the medical certification process is below:
If an agency doubts the validity of the original medical certification, they may require a second opinion by a second health care provider designated or approved by the agency. The agency must pay for the second opinion. If the second opinion differs from the original medical certification, the agency may require a third opinion, which is final and binding on both the agency and the employee.
Certification Requirements for Exigency

If an employee requests leave for a qualifying exigency, they may need to provide their employer with certain information, such as the need for leave and the reason for it.
In some cases, an employee may need to provide medical certification to support their request for exigency leave. This can include documentation from a healthcare provider that explains the employee's need for leave.
Employees are not required to provide medical certification for all types of exigency leave, but they may need to provide it for certain reasons, such as to care for a family member with a serious health condition.
The FMLA does not require employers to provide a specific form for medical certification, but they may have their own forms or procedures for requesting and reviewing certification.
Here are some key things to keep in mind when it comes to certification requirements for exigency leave:
Keep in mind that employers may have different procedures and requirements for requesting and reviewing medical certification, so it's best to check with your employer to see what they need.
Notice and Job Protection
Notice and job protection are crucial aspects of FMLA leave. Employees must provide 30-day advance notice of the need to take FMLA leave when the need is foreseeable and such notice is practicable.
To ensure timely notice, employees must follow their employer's usual and customary notice and procedural requirements for requesting leave. This may include calling in to report an absence or submitting a request through a designated portal.
Employees must provide sufficient information for their employer to reasonably determine whether the FMLA may apply to the leave request. This information may include details about the employee's medical condition or the need to care for a qualifying family member.
Here are some key facts to keep in mind:
- Employees must provide 30-day advance notice of the need to take FMLA leave when the need is foreseeable and such notice is practicable.
- Employees must follow their employer's usual and customary notice and procedural requirements for requesting leave.
- Employees must provide sufficient information for their employer to reasonably determine whether the FMLA may apply to the leave request.
Upon returning from FMLA leave, employees will be restored to their same position, or to an equivalent position with equivalent pre-leave pay, benefits, and other employment terms.
Employee Notice
As an employee, it's essential to understand the notice requirements when taking FMLA leave. If you plan to take FMLA leave, you must provide 30-day advance notice to your employer if the need is foreseeable and such notice is practicable.
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You don't need to be a doctor to know that some medical situations are unpredictable, but you still need to notify your employer as soon as practicable. This means giving notice on the same or next business day if you learn of the need for leave at short notice.
To determine whether your leave is FMLA-qualifying, your employer needs sufficient information from you. This may include details about your incapacitation due to pregnancy, hospitalization, or inability to perform your job duties.
You don't need to mention FMLA specifically when requesting leave for a qualifying reason for the first time. However, if you've previously taken FMLA leave for the same reason, you must reference either the qualifying reason or the need for FMLA leave.
Here are the key notice requirements for FMLA leave:
- 30-day advance notice for foreseeable leave
- Same or next business day notice for unforeseeable leave
- Sufficient information for your employer to determine FMLA eligibility
- Comply with your employer's usual call-in procedures unless unusual circumstances prevent you from doing so
Job Protection and Return to Work
You'll be relieved to know that your job is protected while you're on FMLA Leave or Military Caregiver Leave. Your health coverage will be maintained under your employer's group health plan.
If you're on unpaid leave, you won't be on the University's payroll, but your employer will continue to pay the employer's portion of your group healthcare premiums. You'll need to pay the portion of premiums that's ordinarily deducted from your paycheck.
To return to work, you'll need to provide a medical certification that you're fit to resume work. This is required if you're taking FMLA Leave because of your own serious health condition.
You can obtain return-to-work medical certification forms from the Department of Human Resources. It's essential to have this form completed by your healthcare provider before returning to work.
Upon returning from leave, you'll be restored to your same position, or to an equivalent position with equivalent pre-leave pay, benefits, and other employment terms.
Here's a summary of your job protection rights:
- Health coverage will be maintained under your employer's group health plan.
- Employer will continue to pay the employer's portion of group healthcare premiums on unpaid leave.
- Return-to-work medical certification is required for FMLA Leave due to own serious health condition.
- Equivalent position with equivalent pay, benefits, and terms upon return from leave.
Military Provisions and Caregiver Leave
Covered active duty means duty during the deployment of a member with the Armed Forces to a foreign country, which includes deployment to international waters.
A covered service member is defined as an employee's spouse, parent, child, or next of kin who is a current member of the Armed Forces or on the temporary disability retired list, and who incurred a serious injury or illness in the line of duty on active duty.
Deployment to a foreign country means the military member is deployed to an area outside of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any Territory or possession of the United States.
To be eligible for military caregiver leave, a covered service member must have incurred a serious injury or illness in the line of duty on active duty, or be a veteran who was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable at any time during the 5 years prior to the first date an eligible employee takes FMLA leave to care for that veteran.
Both spouses may take military caregiver leave, or a combination of military caregiver leave and FMLA leave, for a combined total of 26 weeks during a calendar year.
Qualifying exigency leave allows a relative of a servicemember to take up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave for certain exigencies, such as setting arrangements for day care for the service member's child or attending deployment ceremonies.
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Military Provisions
Qualifying Exigency Leave is available to employees whose spouse, parent, or child is a servicemember who has been deployed to a foreign country. This leave allows employees to take up to 12 weeks off to deal with the challenges of having a loved one deployed, such as setting up childcare arrangements or attending deployment ceremonies.
A servicemember is considered deployed if they are stationed in an area outside of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any Territory or possession of the United States, including international waters. This can be a stressful and uncertain time for military families, and Qualifying Exigency Leave provides a vital support system to help them navigate these challenges.
Employees can take Qualifying Exigency Leave for a variety of reasons, including to care for a child while their parent is deployed, to attend post-deployment activities such as arrival ceremonies or reintegration briefings, or to deal with the aftermath of a servicemember's death, including funeral services.
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Here are some specific examples of when Qualifying Exigency Leave can be used:
- To address childcare or child-related activities that come up while someone is deployed
- To provide childcare for non-routine, urgent, or immediate needs
- To enroll or transfer a child in a school or day care
- To attend meetings at a school or day care facility
- To attend post-deployment activities for up to 90 days following the termination of the servicemember's covered military active duty
- To address issues arising from the death of the servicemember, including funeral services
- To help with the care of the servicemember's parent(s) who are unable to take care of themselves
Note that the relative acting on behalf of the servicemember does not have to be related to the servicemember's child or parent, as long as the servicemember is the spouse, parent, or child of the acting relative.
Airline Crew
Military personnel who are also airline crew members can take advantage of the Military Leave Act, which provides up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave for military service.
Airline crew members are considered "key personnel" and are entitled to 15 days of paid leave for military service, in addition to their regular pay.
The airline industry has a long history of supporting its employees who serve in the military, with many airlines offering generous leave policies.
Airline crew members who take military leave are not penalized for their time off, and their seniority and benefits are protected.
In fact, some airlines even offer a "military recall" policy, which allows crew members to return to work immediately after their military service is completed.
This policy is particularly beneficial for airline crew members who are also military reservists, as it ensures they can quickly return to their civilian job after their military duties are fulfilled.
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Leave Options and Scheduling
You have a range of leave options available to you, including annual leave, sick leave, and donated annual leave under the voluntary leave transfer program. These options can be used to take time off for personal and family health situations, or for other valid reasons.
An employee is not required to invoke FMLA for personal and family health situations, and can instead use sick leave or other types of paid leave. This can help preserve your FMLA entitlement for additional needs that may arise.
If you need to take leave for a serious health condition, you may be able to use FMLA leave intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule. This can be a good option if you need to take time off for medical treatment or recovery.
Here are some common reasons for taking FMLA leave:
- To care for a newborn child or recently adopted child or a child recently placed in foster care with an employee
- To care for a spouse, parent or child who has a serious health condition
- For an employee's own serious health condition
- Due to a qualifying exigency, such as a spouse or child being deployed to a foreign country
Alternative Options and Flexible Scheduling
If you're in need of a break from work, you're in luck because the Federal Government offers a wide range of leave options and workplace flexibilities to assist you. These flexibilities include annual leave, sick leave, and alternative work schedules.
Some agencies may also have a voluntary leave bank program, which allows employees to donate their leave to colleagues in need. You can also use credit hours under flexible work schedules or take leave without pay if necessary.
If you're dealing with a serious health condition, you may be able to use FMLA leave intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule. This can be a huge help if you need to take care of a family member or yourself.
The types of situations that qualify for intermittent FMLA leave include medically necessary care for a spouse or child, a serious health condition that prevents you from performing your job duties, or a qualifying exigency. If your need for leave is foreseeable, your agency may be able to place you in an alternative position that can better accommodate your leave schedule.
You can also substitute paid leave for unpaid FMLA leave in certain situations. For example, you can use accrued or accumulated annual leave and/or sick leave, or donated annual leave under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program or Voluntary Leave Bank Program. Paid parental leave may also be used for birth or placement purposes during the 12-month period following the child's birth or placement.
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Here are some options for substituting paid leave for unpaid FMLA leave:
- Accrued or accumulated annual leave and/or sick leave;
- Advanced annual and/or advanced sick leave (if the agency has granted it to you);
- Donated annual leave under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP) or Voluntary Leave Bank Program (VLBP); and/or
- Paid parental leave (PPL) may only be used for birth or placement purposes and may only be used during the 12-month period following the child's birth or placement.
Just keep in mind that you'll need to notify your agency of your election to substitute paid leave for unpaid FMLA leave prior to the date the paid leave commences, unless you're using donated annual leave under the VLTP or VLBP.
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Reasons for Taking
You've got a lot of leave options available to you, and it can be confusing to know when to use each one. Let's break it down.
You can take FMLA leave to care for a newborn child or recently adopted child, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. You can also take FMLA leave for your own serious health condition.
If you're caring for a family member, you can also use sick leave outside of FMLA to take up to 12 weeks of leave in a year. This is an employee entitlement, and your agency generally can't deny your request to use it.
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Here are some reasons for taking FMLA leave:
- To care for the employee's newborn child or recently adopted child or a child recently placed in foster care with an employee
- To care for the employee's spouse, parent or child (including step-relations) who has a serious health condition, as defined by the FMLA
- For an employee's own serious health condition, as defined by the FMLA
- Due to a qualifying exigency, as defined by the FMLA, when the employee's spouse, parent, or child is deployed to a foreign country
If you're taking leave to care for a family member, you might also be eligible for military caregiver leave. This is unpaid leave that allows you to care for a covered service member while they undergo medical treatment or recuperation. A covered service member is defined as a spouse, parent, child, or next of kin who incurred a serious injury or illness in the line of duty.
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Benefits and Compensation
FMLA leave is unpaid, but employees can use accumulated sick time, vacation time, or personal time to continue getting paid.
If you're taking FMLA leave due to a serious health condition, you'll need to provide a medical certification that you're fit to return to work. You can get return-to-work medical certification forms from the Department of Human Resources.
The University will continue to pay the employer's portion of your group healthcare premiums while you're on unpaid leave, but you'll need to pay the employee portion yourself.
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You can choose to pay your employee portion of the premiums in advance each month, or you can make a lump sum payment for the duration of your leave. To do this, you'll need to request it in writing from the Department of Human Resources.
Upon returning from FMLA leave, you'll be restored to your same position or an equivalent one with the same pay, benefits, and employment terms.
Here are the key points to remember about benefits and compensation during FMLA leave:
- The University will continue to pay the employer's portion of your group healthcare premiums.
- You'll need to pay the employee portion of the premiums yourself.
- You can choose to pay your employee portion of the premiums in advance each month or make a lump sum payment for the duration of your leave.
- Upon returning from FMLA leave, you'll be restored to your same position or an equivalent one with the same pay, benefits, and employment terms.
Filing a Complaint and Coverage
The FMLA applies to all public agencies, including local, State, and Federal employers, and local education agencies, as well as private sector employers who employ 50 or more employees for at least 20 workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year.
To qualify for FMLA leave, you don't have to be related to the recipient of an organ donation. This is a great option for those who want to give back to others.
If you believe your employer has violated your FMLA rights, contact the WHD immediately. You can call them at 1-866-487-9243 or visit their complaint page.
To file a complaint, you'll need to provide some information, including your full name, address and phone number, the name of the company you worked at, and the location of the company. You'll also need to provide the phone number of the company, the manager or owner's name, and why an FMLA request was made and the employer's response.
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How to File a Complaint
If you need to file a complaint about an employer violating your FMLA rights, don't wait - contact the WHD immediately. You can reach them at 1-866-487-9243 or visit their complaint page online.
To prepare for the complaint, gather some essential information. This includes your full name, address, and phone number, as well as the name and location of the company you worked for.
You'll also need to know the phone number of the company, as well as the name of the manager or owner. Finally, be prepared to explain why you made an FMLA request and how your employer responded.
Here's a list of the information you'll need to file a complaint:
- Full name;
- Address and phone number;
- The name of the company worked at;
- Location of the company (may be different from the actual job site);
- Phone number of the company;
- Manager or owner’s name; and
- Why an FMLA request was made and the employer’s response.
Coverage
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a vital law that protects employees' rights to take time off for certain family and medical reasons. The FMLA applies to all public agencies, including local, State, and Federal employers, and local education agencies (schools).
Private sector employers who employ 50 or more employees for at least 20 workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year are also covered under the FMLA. This includes joint employers and successors of covered employers.
To qualify for FMLA leave, your employer must be a covered employer. If you're unsure whether your employer is covered, check if they meet the 50-employee threshold for at least 20 workweeks in a year.
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Here's a breakdown of the types of employers covered under the FMLA:
- Public agencies (local, State, Federal, and local education agencies)
- Private sector employers with 50 or more employees for 20 workweeks
- Joint employers and successors of covered employers
You can't qualify for FMLA leave when donating an organ to a non-relative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be fired if my FMLA runs out?
Yes, you can be terminated if your FMLA leave has run out, but your employer must still consider other factors before making a decision. This decision requires careful consideration of applicable laws and regulations.
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