Family and Medical Leave

Seeking Employment Leave in Missouri or Illinois?

The United States Congress passed the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) with the intention of helping employees create a healthy balance of work and family responsibilities. However, even with the passing of this law, some employers continue to penalize workers who exercise their rights to take time off for their family.

If your rights under the FMLA have been violated, contact Riggan Law Firm, LLC immediately to take legal action. By law, you are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for reasons related to family and medical needs. Some reasons for family and medical leave under the FMLA might be:

• birth and care of an employee’s newborn child, such as doctor visits and even pregnancy complications prior to the birth;
• placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care;
• caring for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition;
• medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition; or
• qualifying exigencies for which the employee's spouse, son, daughter, or parent is on active duty or call to active status as a member of the National Guard or Reserves in support of a contingency operation.

Note that even though family and medical leave is unpaid, unless the employer agrees otherwise, the employer must maintain the employee's benefits (e.g. medical benefits) during the leave.

Where Is the FMLA in Effect?

The FMLA applies to the following institutions:

• public agencies,
• public and private elementary and secondary schools, and
• companies with at least 50 employees.

An employee is eligible for FMLA leave if they have worked for the employer:

• for at least 12 months,
• for at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and
• at a location where the company employs at least 50 employees within 75 miles.

Contact Riggan Law Firm, LLC Today

The regulatory rules and requirements under the FMLA are nuanced and often confusing. It will be most efficient to find an employment lawyer to advise you of your leave entitlements and other rights under the FMLA. If you have been terminated in violation of the FMLA or fear you may, do not hesitate to speak with an attorney at Riggan Law Firm, LLC to assess the facts of your case and strategize your next steps in the legal process.

Reach out to Riggan Law Firm, LLC at (314) 684-8406 or online here to retain trusted legal counsel in your Missouri FMLA case.