FMLA

Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 requires the FAS to grant eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave (to be taken and completed during a 12-month period) for any of the following reasons:

a)      For the birth of a child and to care for an employee’s child within 12 months of birth, adoption, 

b)      To care for a parent, child, or spouse with a serious health condition; oror the initiation of foster care;

c)      Because the employee’s own serious health condition makes the employee unable to perform his or her job.

Under Harvard policy, those holding professional research appointments are deemed eligible for the provisions of FMLA if they have held at least half-time appointment in the FAS for three consecutive months or more. Given that in most cases the leave will be unpaid, the individual on leave will be billed for his or her share of the contribution. In certain cases, other Harvard policies and benefit programs may provide salary continuation and additional benefits. If so, Harvard will continue to make the standard contribution to group health insurance during a leave covered by the FMLA. 

Those holding faculty and professional research appointments who are eligible for FMLA coverage may take no more than 12 weeks FMLA leave during each 12-month period beginning on the first day that any FMLA leave is used. However, exhaustion of the 12 weeks of leave provided for in the FMLA will not necessarily limit an individual’s eligibility for additional leaves, as provided for by FAS policy.