14.28 Definition: "Next of Kin" for Leave to Care for a Covered Service member with a Serious Injury or Illness is an unpaid leave of absence provided to eligible employees who are the spouse, child, parent, or next of kin of a Covered Service member who has a serious injury or illness and requires care and support. The leave allows the employee to take up to 26 work weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period to care for the Covered Service member. Eligible employees must have been employed for at least 12 months and have worked at least 1250 hours during the 12 months prior to the leave. Eligible employees are also entitled to job protection and continuation of health insurance benefits during the leave period.