Print   Send

Human Resources Question of the Week: What is the Family and Medical Leave Act and how does it differ from sick leave?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 provides eligible employees up to 12 work weeks (480 hours) of paid or unpaid job-protected leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the following qualifying events:

• A serious personal health condition that prevents an employee from performing his or her job
• Care for a child during the first year following birth, adoption or foster care placement
• Care for a family member who has a serious health condition

While on FMLA leave, employees are entitled to benefits; however, their benefits are subject to changes that occur within the group plan while the individual is on leave.

Employees may take FMLA as paid or unpaid leave. Employees on paid leave may use earned sick, vacation or personal leave and they will continue to have benefit contributions deducted from their pay.

Employees on unpaid FMLA should contact the Benefits office at 330-672-3107 regarding any monthly benefit contributions.

In all cases, FMLA must be approved and requests for paid and unpaid leave must meet the appropriate policy conditions.

Sick leave is accrued paid leave that employees earn and can use subject to administrative policy 3342-6-31. Sick leave may be used in the event of personal illness or injury, to care for an immediate family member, or in the case of the death of an immediate family member. View the sick leave policy.