Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, administers and enforces the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for all private, state and local government employees, and some federal employees. Most Federal and certain congressional employees are also covered by the law and are subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management or the Congress.

FMLA became effective on August 5, 1993, for most employers. If a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is in effect on that date, FMLA became effective on the expiration date of the CBA or February 5, 1994, whichever was earlier. FMLA entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons. The employer may elect to use the calendar year, a fixed 12-month leave or fiscal year, or a 12-month period prior to or after the commencement of leave as the 12-month period.

The law contains provisions on employer coverage; employee eligibility for the law's benefits; entitlement to leave, maintenance of health benefits during leave, and job restoration after leave; notice and certification of the need for FMLA leave; and, protection for employees who request or take FMLA leave. The law also requires employers to keep certain records.

Contacts

For questions regarding FMLA or to apply for FMLA, please speak with your FMLA designee listed below:

City Contact: Anne Gill
c/o Personnel Department
City of Somerville
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617-625-6600 ext. 3310
Fax: 617-591-3114
E-mail: agill@somervillema.gov

School Contact: Marianna MacDonald
Somerville Public Schools
42 Cross Street
Somerville, MA 02145
Phone: 617-625-6600 ext. 6017
Fax: 617-666-1130
E-mail: mmacdonald@k12.somerville.ma.us

Resources

• FMLA Fact Sheet
• FMLA and Service Member Leave Policy