Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

FMLA Leave

Under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), as a University employee, you may be entitled to take up to 12-weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for any of the following qualifying reasons:

• A serious health condition that makes you unable to perform the functions of your job.
• The birth of a child and to bond with the newborn child within one year of birth.
• The placement of a child for adoption or foster care, and to bond with the newly placed child within one year of placement.
• To care for your spouse, child (including biological, adopted, foster, step, legal wards, and children for whom you stand in loco parentis), or parent who has a serious health condition.
• Any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that your spouse, child, or parent is a military member on covered active duty.
• To care for a service member with a serious injury or illness if the employee is the spouse, child, parent, or next of kin of the service member.

Eligibility for FMLA Leave

In addition to having a qualifying reason, you must also meet the following eligibility criteria to take FMLA leave:

• You must have worked for the university or another State of Texas agency for at least 12 months; and
• You must have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12-month period immediately preceding the leave.

Duration of FMLA Leave

If eligible, you may take up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave (26 weeks for military caregiver leave) during a "rolling" 12-month period.  Your 12-weeks will begin on the date that your Family and Medical Leave begins. When a holiday falls during a week when you are taking FMLA leave for less than the full week, the holiday is not counted as FMLA leave, unless you were scheduled and expected to work on the holiday and used FMLA leave for that day.

Requesting FMLA Leave

To request FMLA, you must complete a Request for Family and Medical Leave form 30 to 45 days prior to the date you need your leave to begin. If you are unable to complete your request at least 30 days prior, then please submit it as soon as is practicable. If you are unexpectedly absent for three or more days, then your supervisor may also submit the request on your behalf.

Once the request is submitted, the Leave Management Team will email you all the appropriate forms needing completion. Please be sure to read the notice and information provided in its entirety.

Resources for Managers

• FMLA FAQ for Managers
• Manager Procedure and Responsibilities Under FMLA
• FMLA Training (powerpoint presentation)

 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please email hr.leaves@uttyler.edu.