UAB employees frequently have questions about leave they can take under the FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) when they are welcoming a new child to the family or are dealing with a serious medical condition of their own or of a family member.

It’s important to understand that the FMLA encompasses two types of leaves:

Family-Related Leave of Absence: This provides an eligible employee up to 12 work weeks per rolling 12-month period of unpaid, job-protected leave for the birth of a child or to care for a spouse, parent, or child with a serious health condition. A Family-Related Medical Leave also can include caring for a newborn child or a child newly placed with the employee for adoption or foster care (if an agreement has been reached between the employee and his or her supervisor).

Medical Leave of Absence: UAB’s policy provides eligible employees up to 16 work weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for a serious medical condition that prevents the employee from working. The leave may be approved for the amount of time medically necessary up to a maximum of 16 work weeks, an additional UAB benefit that exceeds the amount of time required by law. This type of leave does not apply to any situation involving an employee’s family members.?

It’s also important to note that the two leaves run concurrently. This means that any time used as a Medical Leave of Absence is counted toward the 12-work-week maximum that is available to the employee during a rolling 12-month period as required by the Family and Medical Leave Act.

To learn more, visit the Human Resource Department Leaves of Absence Web site for a full list of frequently asked questions about FMLA and the conditions that apply: www.uab.edu/leavesofabsence .