Workers' Rights - Wages And Hours, Unemployment, On-the-job Safety, Compensation For Work-related Injuries And Illnesses - FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

Over the past century, federal, state, and local governments have created a body of laws, rules, and regulations to protect the rights of workers. These laws cover many aspects of work. A helpful source of information on the topic is Your Rights in the Workplace by Barbara Kate Repa (Nolo, 2005).

FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

The Family and Medical Leave Act, enacted in 1993, gives employees the right to take up to twelve weeks unpaid leave, for certain circumstances, without losing their jobs. This leave can be used for an employee's own health situation or for childbirth (either parent), adoption of a child (either parent), or caring for an immediate family member with a serious health condition.