Types of Federally-Required and Recognized Leave

Benefits and Leave laws vary from state to state. The following information applies to federal law only.

Legally Required Leave

• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
  • Documentation is required to prove that an employee needed to take the leave.
  • FMLA only applies to companies with 50 or more employees that are within 75 miles.
• Jury Duty
  • Documentation required.
• Victim Leave
  • If an employee has been a victim of violence.
• Military Leave
  • USERRA.
  • Documentation upon return can be requested by the employer.
• Emergency Services
  • Natural Disasters etc.
• Voting
  • An employee can take time off to vote if they do not have enough time outside of work to do so.

Paid/Unpaid Leave

• Vacations
• Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Funeral/Bereavement Leave
• Pregnancy/Parental Leave

Employees should talk to their HR administrators for more information on their company's leave policies.

Holidays and Religious Observances

Companies are not legally required to give paid or unpaid time off for federally recognized holidays or religious observances. That being said:

• Most companies grant time off for federally recognized holidays.
  • These will be laid out in their Employee Handbooks.
• Companies are legally not allowed to discriminate against an employee for their religious beliefs.