For what purposes can leave be taken under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
FMLA provides eligible Federal employees with an entitlement to 12
workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for the following
purposes:
- birth of a son or daughter of the employee and care of the newborn;*
- placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster
care;*
- care of a spouse, son, daughter, or parent of the employee who has a serious
health condition; and
- a serious health condition of the employee that makes the employee unable to
perform the essential functions of his or her position.
* Entitlement to 12 weeks of leave expires 12 months after the date of birth
or placement for adoption or foster care. (Employees may begin this leave prior
to the birth or placement.)