What is Intermittent Leave?
Our Ohio medical leave attorneys explain
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), covered workers with qualifying conditions may take unpaid medical leave for up to 12 weeks for a variety of medical and personal reasons. You can learn more about those reasons on our “Do I Qualify For FMLA?” page.
But what you might not realize is you do not have to take those 12 weeks off in a row, or for entire days at a time. According to the rules and regulations for medical leave and FMLA, you can take this time off intermittently in certain qualifying instances, as well. In some cases, FMLA leave can be taken in as small as 15-minute increments of time.
Our Ohio medical leave attorneys at Nilges Draher LLC know how the FMLA works. We thoroughly understand the law and regulations designed to protect the rights of workers and their families in the event of an illness.
Reasons for taking intermittent leave
You can take unpaid time off for your own or a family member’s serious medical condition, or to care for a newborn or adopted child in any time increments. Whether it’s working half days for 24 weeks, taking two days off work for 30 weeks or several hours every week for an extended period of time, the FMLA allows most workers to take time off on an intermittent basis. Examples of when intermittent leave might be needed include:
- Medical care for chronic health conditions
- Going to regular doctor’s appointments for the treatment of serious illness
- Taking a child, spouse, parent or other qualifying family member to regular doctor’s appointments for serious illness
- Caring for a family member with a serious illness
- Caring for a newborn or newly adopted child
If you qualify for unpaid medical leave under the FMLA, you do not need permission from your employer to take such time off, according to FMLA rules. But some employers can be difficult and deny intermittent leave requests, and the FMLA has specific notice requirements that must be followed when taking leave. That’s why it’s important to contact us right away if you’re having any trouble taking time off for medical or personal reasons covered by the FMLA.
How our law firm can help you
The last thing you need to worry about if you’re trying to take intermittent leave for medical or personal reasons covered by the FMLA is dealing with a supervisor or someone else at your company who refuses to give you the time off.
We can deal directly with your employer on your behalf. That way, you can focus on your personal matter and take the time you need on your terms. And if your employer refuses to cooperate, we’re prepared to take them to court. Schedule your free case evaluation to find out how an experienced medical leave lawyer at our law firm can help you.