What does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provide to employees?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is designed to support employees who need to take time off for specific family and medical reasons. The key feature of the FMLA is that it offers job-protected leave, meaning that employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year without the risk of losing their job. This leave can be utilized for various situations such as the birth of a child, the care of an adopted child, or to attend to a serious health condition affecting the employee or a family member.

The other options listed do not accurately represent what the FMLA provides. For instance, while employees may receive health insurance coverage during their leave, this is not a guarantee made by the Act itself; rather, it ensures that employees retain their health benefits while on leave as long as they continue to pay their premiums. Additionally, the FMLA does not mandate paid vacation time or overtime pay during medical leave, as it specifically pertains to job protection for leave rather than payment for that time off.