Understandably, it may be difficult for you to give your best performance at work when you or one of your family members is experiencing medical concerns that are greatly preoccupying you. This is one of the many reasons why the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is in place; to give you reasonable unpaid leave to take care of these concerns and better balance your work life and family responsibilities. You must understand, though, that this may not be automatically granted to you but you must take the proper procedures to apply for it. With that being said, please follow along to find out how to apply for medical leave at work and how a proficient FMLA lawyer in Gloucester County, New Jersey, at The Vigilante Law Firm, can help you do so timely and effectively.
How do I know if I’m eligible for FMLA leave?
Before looking into taking a medical leave from your workplace, you must confirm that you qualify for it. Specifically, FMLA applies to all public agencies (i.e., local, state, and federal employers) and all public and private elementary and secondary schools, regardless of the number of employees. And also, all private-sector employers with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius of the workplace.
In addition, you must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months or at least 1,250 hours over 12 months. So, if you work for one of these workplaces for a certifiable amount of time, you may be entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. You may take this leave for any of the following valid reasons:
- You may have recently given birth and are now caring for your newborn.
- You may have recently adopted or fostered a child and are now caring for the child.
- You may have become the primary caretaker of a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health concern.
- You may have been recently diagnosed with a serious health concern that hinders your job performance.
How do I apply for medical leave with my employer?
If you anticipate having to take medical leave from work, you should notify your employer at least 30 days in advance. It is understandable if unforeseen circumstances prevent you from giving this heads-up. But at the very least, you must do your best to cooperate with your employer during this time.
For one, your employer may have certain forms they require you to fill out to make this formal request. What’s more, they may even be authorized to ask you for certain medical certifications, if your requested medical leave has to do with your serious health concern or that of a close family member.
To conclude, you must be fully equipped to apply for medical leave. Your preparation is incomplete without hiring one of the talented New Jersey employment lawyers. Contact The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. today.
