Under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, how many weeks of leave are employees entitled to?

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), employees are entitled to a total of 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for specific family and medical reasons. This legislation was enacted to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities by ensuring they can take necessary time off without the fear of losing their jobs.

The three main circumstances under which employees can take this leave are for the birth and care of a newborn, for the adoption or foster care placement of a child, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Additionally, employees can use this time for their own serious health conditions that make them unable to perform their job functions.

The 12-week entitlement is a significant aspect of the FMLA that provides a buffer for employees, allowing them to address personal or family medical needs while still retaining their job security during their absence.