The Family and Medical Leave Act: Challenges Ahead

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The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) has given millions of working families job security when they take leave for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for an ailing family member, or to recover from their own illnesses. However, low-income workers cannot afford to take the unpaid leave the FMLA guarantees, may work for an employer not covered by the FMLA, or may not have worked for the required time period or number of hours to qualify for leave. Federal and state actions are under way to make family and medical leave more available and affordable, and advocates have numerous strategies available to pursue increased leave rights for their clients. [

By M. Ahadi Bugg From January - February 2001