Family Relates Issues

Family Related Issues

Carmen M. Roman

Dr. Augustine Weekley

Law, Ethics, and Corporate Governance (LEG 500)

October 28, 2011

Explain if it matters that a parent literally had nothing to do with a biological child in order for the child to take advantage of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to care for that parent.

No its not matters at all, the US Department of Labor enforces the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for all private, state and local government employees, and some federal employees. Most federal and certain congressional employees are also covered by the law and are subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management or the Congress. The FMLA entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons, or for any “qualifying exigency” arising out of the fact that a covered military member is on active duty, or has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty, in support of a contingency operation. The FMLA also allows eligible employees to take up to 26 workweeks of job-protected leave in a “single 12-month period” to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness. The Act cover he following reasons:

* for the birth and care of a newborn child of the employee;

* for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care;

* to care for a spouse, son, daughter, 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 active duty or call to active duty status as a member of the National Guard or Reserves in support of a contingency operation.

A covered employer also...