The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons. These reasons can include the birth or adoption of a child, the care of a seriously ill family member, or the employee's own serious health condition.

Example
An eligible employee may take FMLA leave to care for their spouse who has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition.