It is a a labor law which requires covered employers to provide their employees with unpaid and job - protected leave for medical and family reasons; The Act was formed in 1993. This cover lasts for a period of 12 weeks; the 12 weeks can be taken all at once or as intermittent leave (this is only under special circumstances).

Who is entitled to be covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act? 

According to the Medical Act law, the act only covers an employee's immediate family and this includes the following:

• parents 
• children
• spouses

An amendment to this Act was made in 2008; and the amendment which included adult children and next of kin; this however varies as some states have expanded their definition of immediate family to include: parents in law, grandparents and civi union partners.