What is the 50 75 rule for FMLA?
Asked by: Prof. Modesto Hackett PhD | Last update: June 22, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (1 votes)
ABOUT THE FMLA Eligible employees: Employees are eligible if they work for a covered employer for at least 12 months, have at least 1,250 hours of service with the employer during the 12 months before their FMLA leave starts, and work at a location where the employer has at least 50 employees within 75 miles.
What is the 75 mile rule for FMLA?
To be eligible for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, an employee must work at a location that has 50 employees within a 75-mile radius. This so-called 50/75 rule can create confusion for employers that have 50 or more employees total but with no locations that have 50 workers within a 75-mile radius.
What excuses can you use FMLA for?
You may take FMLA leave to care for your spouse, child or parent who has a serious health condition, or when you are unable to work because of your own serious health condition. 4) pregnancy (including prenatal medical appointments, incapacity due to morning sickness, and medically required bed rest).
What are the rules around FMLA?
Employees are eligible for leave if they have worked for their employer at least 12 months, at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location where the company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles.
How do they calculate FMLA?
FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of leave. A week is determined by the number of hours you normally work. Leave taken as full weeks: An staff or student employee or librarian who works 35 hours per week is entitled to 12 weeks of leave, which would total 420 hours (35 x 12), not 480 (40 x 12) hours.
FMLA Eligible Employees
How much will FMLA pay me?
The important thing to remember is that FMLA itself doesn't pay you while you're on leave, and it doesn't require your employer to either. However, you can ask your employer to pay you for any days of sick leave that you've accumulated under your company's paid sick leave policy.
What is the FMLA 3 day rule?
An employer should not presume that an absence from work of less than three consecutive days for a health-related reason is not protected by the FMLA, and it should carefully scrutinize an employee's absence from work for health-related reasons before disciplining or discharging the employee for excessive absenteeism ...
What not to do while on FMLA?
It's fine to continue to work while you're on FMLA, as long as you're doing it voluntarily and not because your employer is forcing you. Another thing you can't do is lie to your employer about why you're taking FMLA. That's called fraud – it's going to get you fired.
What is the disadvantage of FMLA?
FMLA leave isn't necessarily paid leave (that's up to your employer, or what you and your co-workers can negotiate in a union contract.) If you are a new employee, work too few hours a year, or your company has too few employees, you might not be eligible.
Why would someone be denied FMLA?
If an employee does not provide either a complete and sufficient certification or an authorization allowing the health care provider to provide a complete and sufficient certification to the employer, the employee's request for FMLA leave may be denied.
What is the easiest thing to get FMLA for?
The birth of a child qualifies for FMLA leave. A mother may also use FMLA time off for prenatal care or continuing care once the child is born. A father may also use FMLA leave to care for a newborn child or to provide care for a spouse incapacitated as a result of the pregnancy or childbirth.
What illnesses are covered under FMLA?
- Alzheimers disease;
- chronic back conditions;
- cancer;
- diabetes;
- nervous disorders;
- severe depression;
- pregnancy or its complications, including severe morning sickness and prenatal care;
- treatment for substance abuse, multiple sclerosis;
Can an employer fire you for using FMLA?
The FMLA creates substantive rights for employees and any employer who denies those rights or prevents an employee from exercising those rights violates the FMLA. For example, an employer cannot fire an employee for taking FMLA leave.
Does anxiety qualify for FMLA?
For Self: An employee can take FMLA time if they have a serious health condition that severely impacts their ability to work. Some common conditions that may qualify include depression and severe anxiety.
How long does it take to get FMLA approved?
Step 1: You must notify your employer when you know you need leave. Step 2: Your employer must notify you whether you are eligible for FMLA leave within five business days. If their notification indicates that you are not eligible, then your leave is not FMLA-protected. (You may request leave again in the future.
Can you collect unemployment if you are fired after FMLA?
Is There Eligibility to Received Unemployment Compensation if Employment Is Terminated While the Employee Is Disabled? No. To be eligible to receive unemployment compensation benefits, a terminated employee is required to certify their ability to work.
Why use FMLA instead of sick leave?
The FMLA and the CFRA are federal and state leave laws that allow eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave. FMLA and CFRA help to protect your job while you are receiving Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave benefits when you must: Take medical leave for yourself.
Why is FMLA so difficult?
Tracking Intermittent Leave: One of the most pressing challenges with FMLA administration is tracking intermittent leave. These sporadic absences can be difficult to accurately track, especially when done manually. Employees may find it challenging to properly report time off, particularly with unanticipated absences.
What are damages under the FMLA?
Those damages include back wages, also reinstatement to your prior position. If reinstatement is not a feasible remedy, you may be awarded front wages, and an additional category of damages under the FMLA is liquidated damages, which automatically double the amount of damages that you are entitled to.
Can my boss call me while on FMLA?
Nonetheless, employers may call employees on FMLA leave to discuss other issues, such as updates regarding the employee's situation and the employee's return date.
What is an example of FMLA abuse?
If an employee's health condition prevents them from performing strenuous physical labor, for example, they may still be able to perform light office duties at a second job. But if their responsibilities at another job are similar to the role they're on leave from, this could indicate employee abuse of FMLA leave.
Can I lose my position while on FMLA?
Upon return from FMLA leave, an employee must be restored to his or her original job, or to an "equivalent" job, which means virtually identical to the original job in t erms of pay, benefits, and other employment terms and conditions.
Can my employer call my doctor about FMLA?
Your medical details are protected by FMLA and HIPAA laws, and employers cannot request information about their medical conditions or obtain copies of their medical records.
What medical conditions does FMLA cover?
TYPES OF SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS. The FMLA defines a serious health condition as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves either inpatient care or continuing treatment by a health care provider. Both physical and mental health conditions qualify for FMLA leave.
What happens when my 12 weeks of FMLA is exhausted?
When employees exhaust twelve weeks of FMLA leave and still cannot return to work due to their own medical impairment, the employer may have an obligation under the ADA to grant additional unpaid leave as a reasonable accommodation, in some situations.