Tarrant Texas Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law enacted in 1993 that provides certain employees with unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons. This legislation ensures that employees are entitled to job protection and continuation of group health benefits during their absence. Tarrant, Texas, falls under the jurisdiction of this act, and employees in this area are granted specific rights and protections under FMLA. 1. Eligibility: To be eligible for FMLA benefits in Tarrant, Texas, employees must work for a covered employer, which includes private sector employers with 50 or more employees, public agencies, and local educational agencies. In addition, employees must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and have accumulated at least 1,250 hours of service in the previous 12 months. 2. Reasons for Leave: Tarrant employees can take FMLA leaves for various reasons, including: a. Birth and care of a newborn child: Bonding with a newborn child, and taking leave for prenatal care, incapacity due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. b. Placement of an adopted or foster child: Employees can take leave to care for a child placed with them for adoption or foster care. c. Serious health condition: Individuals with a serious health condition that makes them unable to perform their job can take FMLA leave. This includes illnesses, injuries, or impairments requiring inpatient care or continuing treatment by a healthcare provider. d. Care for a family member: Employees can take leave to care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition. e. Qualifying exigency: If an employee's spouse, child, or parent is a covered military member on covered active duty, they may take FMLA leave. f. Care for an injured military service member: An eligible employee who is the spouse, child, parent, or next of kin of a covered service member with a serious injury or illness can take leave to care for them. 3. Duration of Leave: Under FMLA, eligible Tarrant employees can take up to 12 workweeks of leave within a 12-month period. This leave is unpaid, but job protection is ensured during the absence. 4. Protection of Benefits: Tarrant employees on FMLA leave are entitled to the continuation of group health benefits on the same terms as if they were actively working. The employer must maintain the employee's health coverage during the leave period. 5. Employee Responsibilities: Employees in Tarrant, Texas, must follow their employer's normal procedures for requesting leave and providing necessary documentation. They should give their employer at least 30 days' notice when the need for leave is foreseeable, or notify their employer as soon as possible in emergencies. It is essential for Tarrant employees to understand their rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act. By familiarizing themselves with these protections, employees can ensure they receive the necessary support during critical life situations. For further information on Tarrant Texas FMLA rights and eligibility, employees may consult the U.S. Department of Labor's website or seek guidance from their employer's HR department.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.