Source: https://www.lawforveterans.org/employment-law/104-know-your-rights-the-family-medical-leave-act-s-military-provisions
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 18:40:53+00:00

Document:
provides general information only. Please consult with an attorney if you need legal advice.
The Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) provides unpaid, job-protected time off to covered workers. Covered workers are allowed to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year to care for themselves or covered family members, and up to 26 weeks to care for covered servicemembers. This document provides information about the FMLA’s military family leave provisions.
Enacted in 1993, the FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks per year of unpaid, job-protected leave for: (1) the birth or adoption of a child; (2) the “serious health condition” of the employee; or (3) the “serious health condition” of the employee’s immediate family member. An “eligible employee” is someone who: (A) works for a private employer with at least 50 employees, or for a government agency; (B) has worked for his or her employer for at least one year; and (C) has worked for over 1,250 hours during the previous 12-month period.
FMLA leave need not be paid, but an employee may substitute any accrued paid leave for FMLA leave. In addition, the FMLA contains an anti-retaliation provision that prohibits employers from interfering with an employee’s exercise of any FMLA right. Employees who believe their FMLA rights have been violated may file a complaint with the Department of Labor (“DOL”) or bring a lawsuit directly against an employer.
Two new types of FMLA leave specifically designed to support military families have been created: (1) qualifying exigency leave, which allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected time off to cope with the difficulties of having a deployed family member; and (2) military caregiver leave, which allows up to 26 weeks of time to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness. Employees may not take more than 26 workweeks of leave in a year for any FMLA-qualifying reason.
This provision allows eligible employees (subject to the FMLA’s eligibility requirements listed above) to take up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave. In addition to the other requirements, the employee must be the spouse, son, daughter, or parent of a servicemember on covered active duty deployed to a foreign country. Qualified exigency leave now covers family of all members of the Guard, Reserve, and Regular Armed Forces.4 The 12 weeks of allotted FMLA leave may be taken as needed by the employee, including in increments measured by hours instead of days or weeks.
1) Short-notice deployments of up to 7 days to address issues arising from the notification of an impending call to active duty.
2) Military events and related activities such as ceremonies, programs, events, or information briefings related to active duty or a call to active duty.
5) Counseling related to active duty or the call to active duty provided by someone other than a health care provider.
6) Rest and Recuperation for up to 15 days during deployment.
7) Post-deployment activities such as reintegration events up to 90-days after active duty terminates or dealing with the death of a servicemember.
8) Parental care leave for a member’s parent who is incapable of self-care and the care is necessitated by the member’s covered active duty.
9) Additional service related activities as agreed to by employer.
3. Otherwise on the temporary disability list for a “serious injury or illness.” A “serious injury or illness” is one that is incurred in the line of duty and may render the servicemember medically unfit to perform the duties of his or her office, grade, rank, or rating.
A “covered servicemember” may include veterans who served within 5 years of the date of treatment, and have pre-existing injuries aggravated during active duty service.
What do I have to do to take FMLA leave?
Both types of military FMLA leave may be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule. The employee must give notice of the need for leave at least 30 days in advance or as soon as practicable. The employee must also take reasonable efforts to schedule treatment at a time that does not unduly disrupt the business operations of the employer. In addition, an employer may ask for written proof of the need for leave.
1 9 U.S.C. §§ 2601–2654.
2 Pub. L. No. 111-84 § 565 (2009); Pub. L. No. 110-181 § 585 (2008).
3 29 U.S.C. § 2612(a)(1)(E); 29 C.F.R § 825.126 (a).
4 29 U.S.C.§ 2611(14); 29 C.F.R. § 825.126(b)(2)(i)-(ii).
5 29 C.F.R. § 825.126.
6 This is for exigent needs from deployment only, including: (1) arranging for alternative care when the call to active duty requires change; (2) providing care on an urgent basis; (3) enrolling in or transferring to a new school or day care; or (4) attending meetings with a school or day care. 29 C.F.R. § 825.16(a)(3).
7 FMLA leave may be requested to make financial and legal arrangements if: (1) it is necessary to make or update financial or legal arrangements to address the absence of the servicemember; or (2) to act as the servicemember’s representative for purposes of obtaining, appealing, or arranging for military benefits. See 29 C.F.R. § 825.16(a)(4).
8 29 U.S.C. § 2612(a)(3); 29 C.F.R.§ 825.127.

References: § 565
 § 585
 § 2612
 § 825
 § 825
 § 825
 § 825
 § 825
 § 2612