A Family Member is Sick, and I Need to Take Time off Work to Care for Them. Does my Employer Have to Save My Position and Let Me Take a Leave of Absence?

The answer to this question depends on a few different factors. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) does provide employees with up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave per year. This time is uncompensated, and there are several requirements that must be met, including that the employee must have worked with that employer for at least 12 months.

There are other requirements, too. Plus, the FMLA only applies to companies of a certain size (50 or more employees).