The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons. Employees are eligible if they have been employed at least one year and worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 months preceding the leave.
Leave may be granted for any of the following reasons:
- for a serious health condition;
- to care for a child after birth or adoption; or
- to care for a spouse, child or parent who has a serious health condition.
All employees will use paid sick leave, if available, in lieu of unpaid leave.
FMLA also allows for a special leave entitlement that permits eligible employees to take up to 26 weeks of leave to care for a covered service member during a single 12-month period. The district will continue to pay the district’s share of the employee’s health benefits during the leave. In addition, the district will restore the employee to the employee’s original position or to an equivalent position with equivalent pay, benefits and other terms of employment after the termination of the leave in accordance with board policy. Additionally, you must work at least 152 days of your contract to receive a step increase and to be eligible to receive a full year's credit towards your retirement with SC Retirement Systems.
As soon as a qualified employee knows he/she will need to be out of work for more than five days for illness or the birth or adoption of child or other qualifying condition, an FMLA leave request form should be completed through the Human Resources Department. A 30-day notice is requested if employee has knowledge of the leave being necessary.
If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Romanski at romanskik@fortmillschools.org.
