Maryland Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act

• Category: Employment - Leave - Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-290EM
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This form is used to provide information to an employee about his or her rights under the FMLA. Maryland Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides eligible employees with the right to take unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. In Maryland, employees are entitled to the same benefits and protections provided by the federal FMLA, while also having additional protections under state law. Under the FMLA, eligible employees in Maryland can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for the following reasons: 1. Maternity or Paternity Leave: Eligible employees can take FMLA leaves for the birth, adoption, or placement of a child with the employee for foster care. 2. Serious Health Condition: Employees can take leave to receive medical treatment for their own serious health condition or to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition. 3. Military Family Leave: Employees may be entitled to up to 26 weeks of FMLA leave to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty. In addition to the federal FMLA, Maryland provides certain additional employee rights under the state FMLA. These include: 1. Parental Leave: In Maryland, parental leave allows eligible employees to take up to 6 weeks of unpaid leave within 12 months of the child's birth, adoption, or placement for foster care. This is in addition to the 12 weeks provided by the federal FMLA. 2. Civil Union and Domestic Partnership Leave: Maryland offers additional leave protections for civil union or domestic partnership events. Employees can take up to 16 hours of unpaid leave in a 12-month period to attend these events. 3. Sick and Safe Leave: Maryland has a separate Sick and Safe Leave law that provides eligible employees with paid leave for their own or a family member's illness, injury, or medical appointment. This law is separate from the federal FMLA but complements it for certain situations. It's important to note that the FMLA requires employees to meet certain eligibility criteria, which include working for a covered employer (50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius), having worked for the employer for at least 12 months, and having worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months. Employers in Maryland must comply with both the federal and state FMLA laws. They are required to provide notice to employees about their rights under FMLA and maintain employee confidentiality regarding leave-related information. Understanding Maryland employee rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act is crucial for both employees and employers. By being aware of these rights, employees can protect their job security and access crucial leave for family and medical reasons, while employers can ensure compliance with the law and maintain a positive work environment.

Maryland Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides eligible employees with the right to take unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. In Maryland, employees are entitled to the same benefits and protections provided by the federal FMLA, while also having additional protections under state law. Under the FMLA, eligible employees in Maryland can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for the following reasons: 1. Maternity or Paternity Leave: Eligible employees can take FMLA leaves for the birth, adoption, or placement of a child with the employee for foster care. 2. Serious Health Condition: Employees can take leave to receive medical treatment for their own serious health condition or to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition. 3. Military Family Leave: Employees may be entitled to up to 26 weeks of FMLA leave to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty. In addition to the federal FMLA, Maryland provides certain additional employee rights under the state FMLA. These include: 1. Parental Leave: In Maryland, parental leave allows eligible employees to take up to 6 weeks of unpaid leave within 12 months of the child's birth, adoption, or placement for foster care. This is in addition to the 12 weeks provided by the federal FMLA. 2. Civil Union and Domestic Partnership Leave: Maryland offers additional leave protections for civil union or domestic partnership events. Employees can take up to 16 hours of unpaid leave in a 12-month period to attend these events. 3. Sick and Safe Leave: Maryland has a separate Sick and Safe Leave law that provides eligible employees with paid leave for their own or a family member's illness, injury, or medical appointment. This law is separate from the federal FMLA but complements it for certain situations. It's important to note that the FMLA requires employees to meet certain eligibility criteria, which include working for a covered employer (50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius), having worked for the employer for at least 12 months, and having worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months. Employers in Maryland must comply with both the federal and state FMLA laws. They are required to provide notice to employees about their rights under FMLA and maintain employee confidentiality regarding leave-related information. Understanding Maryland employee rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act is crucial for both employees and employers. By being aware of these rights, employees can protect their job security and access crucial leave for family and medical reasons, while employers can ensure compliance with the law and maintain a positive work environment.