Exploring Your Rights: How Long Can You Take Medical Leave from Work?
Taking time off for medical reasons can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure about your job security. It’s important to know your rights as an employee and how long your employer is legally obligated to keep your position open. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into your rights regarding medical leave and clarify how long you can confidently take time off without jeopardizing your job.
The following is not legal advice. It is general finland whatsapp number data information meant to educate. Please consult a Cincinnati wrongful termination lawyer for legal advice and guidance.
It’s important to note that the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. However, this only applies to certain employers and employees. To be eligible for FMLA, an employee must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, have worked at least 1,250 hours during the prior 12 months, and work at a location where the employer has at least 50 employees within 75 miles. Under the FMLA, employers are required to hold a job for the duration of their leave and return the employee to the same or equivalent position upon their return. Intermittent vs Continuous FMLA
Outside of FMLA, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. This could include medical leave as accommodation. However, the ADA does not provide specific guidelines for how long an employer must hold a job on medical leave. Essentially, no set leave period is mandated because accommodation depends on individual circumstances and should generally be granted unless doing so would result in “undue hardship” for the employer. Instead, the length of leave will depend on the individual’s specific situation and the nature of their disability. Generally, the employer must engage in an interactive process with the employee to determine what accommodations are necessary.