The companies must continue health insurance coverage for employees on leave, and must give them the same job, or an equivalent one, when they return to work. Many firms reported finding that the benefits to employees struggling with tough personal issues outweigh any administrative difficulties. Stachura was able to put in enough hours at Federal Express, where she'd worked since 1981, to take the maximum leave each year as she dealt with her onslaught of tragedies. Then her husband was stricken with cancer. In her case, getting leave when she wanted was no problem.
Some companies can make it difficult for their employees to take the leave, however.
In such cases, employees should follow the rules, documenting leave requests and their employers' responses in case legal intervention becomes necessary. Employees must give 30 days' notice when requesting leave for a foreseeable problem, such as scheduled surgery. But emergency leaves are covered, too. Employers can ask for a note from your doctor saying that you or a family member have a serious problem, but for privacy reasons you don't have to disclose the exact diagnosis. The FMLA is not the only protection employees have.