FMLA-An
Introduction

Background.

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 was
enacted on February 5, 1993. The FMLA generally entitles an "eligible employee"
to take up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period
for the birth of a child, care of a child, placement of a child for adoption or
foster care, care for a spouse or an immediate family member with a serious
health condition, or when the employee is unable to work because of a serious
health condition.

The FMLA became effective on August 5, 1993
except where a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was in effect on that date,
in which case the provisions took effect on the date the CBA terminated or on
February 5, 1994, whichever date occurred earlier. The "final rules" became
effective on April 6, 1995.

The FMLA was enacted by Congress to benefit you,
the employee, during those times of your life when you would need it. Those
occasions where your serious health condition, or your dependent's serious
health condition, precluded you from going to work to either attend to your own
health condition, or to care for your dependents, if required. Congress enacted
this legislation with the intent that it be administered in "good faith" and
that their would be a cooperative atmosphere between the employer and the
employee.