Family and Medical Leave Policy
(with Acknowledgment)

Summary

This template is a non-jurisdictional family and medical leave policy (FMLA policy) that sets forth the rights and obligations of employees taking family and medical leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. This template includes practical guidance, drafting notes, and alternate clauses. Employers may include this policy in an employee handbook or distribute it as a standalone policy. It is the template for our family and medical leave state policies and has not been tailored for any jurisdiction. Use this template alone or customize it for one or more jurisdictions. This family and medical leave policy is intended for private employers. The template's language complies with federal law. Depending upon the state(s) in which the employer operates, state or local laws may require the employer to offer additional templates of family and medical leave to employees. These laws may cover more employers and employees than the FMLA does. Therefore, you should check state and local laws for any family and medical leave requirements. For a full listing of key content covering leaves for employees, see Leaves for Employees Resource Kit. For a full listing of key content covering leaves for employees in California, see Leaves for Employees Resource Kit (CA). For a full listing of key content covering employee handbook considerations, see Employee Handbook Resource Kit. For more information on family and medical leave, see FMLA Leave: Guidance for Employers and Employees — FMLA Leave: Employer Coverage, Employee Eligibility, and Qualifying Bases, FMLA Leave: Guidance for Employers and Employees — FMLA Employer Rights and Obligations, and FMLA Leave: Guidance for Employers and Employees — FMLA Employee Notice Requirements and Medical Certification Obligations. For strategic considerations when defending lawsuits brought under the FMLA, see Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Litigation Defense Strategies and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Claims Defense Checklist. For information on state laws concerning family and medical leave, see the Family, Medical, Sick, Pregnancy, and Military Leave column of Attendance, Leaves, and Disabilities State Practice Notes Chart. For state family and medical leave policies, see the Family, Medical, Sick, Pregnancy, and Military Leave column of Attendance, Leaves, and Disabilities State Expert Forms Chart. This template does not address pregnancy-related leave. For information on pregnancy-related leave, see Pregnancy Discrimination Act: Compliance Tips and Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy Checklist. For a pregnancy and parental leave policy, see Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy (with Acknowledgment). For state-specific policies, see the Family, Medical, Sick, Pregnancy, and Military Leave column of Attendance, Leaves, and Disabilities State Expert Forms Chart.