Medical Leave of Absence

What Is a Medical Leave of Absence from Work?

A medical leave of absence is defined as a category of time off for employees who face medical conditions that impact their physical or mental health, meaning that they can no longer perform key job responsibilities.

Like other leave types, a medical leave of absence will have consequences for compliance that need to be addressed, such as maintaining diligent records about the covered leave and understanding the law to avoid potential violations.

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What Reasons Qualify for a Personal or Medical Leave of Absence?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) offers a broad definition of what qualifies for medical leave from work. In short, it's any serious health condition that renders the employee unable to perform the functions of their position. Eligible employees can also take time off to care for a family member with a mental or physical health condition.

Employees should coordinate with their healthcare providers to certify that their condition leaves them unable to perform any one of the essential functions of their position, or unable to work at all.

Is a Medical Leave of Absence Paid?

The FMLA requires employers to provide up to 12 weeks of leave or absence from work for medical purposes. As with other FMLA leave categories, the employer isn't required to provide paid leave. In addition, employers who provide forms of paid leave (such as paid sick leave and paid vacation time) may require employees to use their accrued leave as a part of the 12-week period.

What Employers Are Covered by the FMLA?

Employers covered by the FMLA include:

Other ways employers may be covered under the FMLA include:

Who Qualifies for FMLA-Supported Medical Leave of Absence?

Employees must meet specific requirements to qualify for FMLA supported medical leave of absence. For example, they must:

How Does a Medical Leave of Absence Work for Mental Health Conditions?

Not all medical conditions are visible. Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder can keep an employee from reaching the levels of personal performance, collaboration, and physical health they need to work effectively.

We’ve put together some core insights into navigating a medical leave of absence for mental health reasons:

It’s important to remember, meanwhile, that a medical leave of absence doesn’t need to be taken all at once as a solid 12-week block. Staying flexible can help employees manage any recurring conditions or setbacks, without fearing for their jobs.

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