attend to the birth or adoption of a child
care for a child, spouse or parent who is ill
recover from a personal illness or the effects of a medical treatment
The employer must not only allow an employee to take the leave, but also must allow the employee to return to the same or a similar position to the one he or she held before it. During the leave, the employer must continue to make the same benefit contributions, such as paying insurance policy premiums, as the employee was receiving before going on leave. However, seniority and pension benefits need not accrue during an employee's leave. Employers who violate the Act, including its provisions against retaliating against those who take advantage of its protections, may be required to pay backpay, damages, attorneys' and expert witnesses' fees--and importantly, for the cost of up to 12 weeks of caring for a child, spouse or parent.
To learn more about what your rights are under the Family and Medical Leave Act, check out these links:
The National Partnership for Women and Families
Basic Information on the Family and Medical Leave Act from the US Department of Labor
A Guide to Working and Your Rights-many great links from about.com
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