The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), and as amended in 2009, 2013, 2015, and 2021 is designed to help employees balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families and to promote stability and economic security of families.
FMLA provides employees with 12 weeks unpaid leave (accrued benefits may be used to remain in paid status) for each consecutive 12-month period for which eligibility criteria have been met for the following events:
- Birth or placement of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care.
- Serious health condition of an employee.
- Serious health condition of a spouse, son, daughter, or parent.
- Qualifying exigency of a son, daughter, spouse, or parent.
FMLA also provides up to 26 weeks unpaid leave (accrued benefits may be used to remain in paid status) during a “single 12-month period” for which eligibility criteria have been met for the following event:
- Care of a covered service member with a serious injury or illness.
Individuals who have been employed by the University for at least 12 months and who have performed at least 1,000 hours of service during the previous 12-month period, are eligible for unpaid family and medical leave during each consecutive twelve-month period for which eligibility criteria have been met.
Ordinarily, an employee who has been absent for family and medical leave shall be restored to the position held by the employee in the same unit from which the employee took leave; or an equivalent position with equivalent employment benefits, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment.
More information regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act is available on the System Human Resource Services FMLA page.
To apply for FMLA, please complete an application. Depending on the reason for the FMLA leave, additional paperwork may be required:
- Serious illness of an employee, family member of an employee, or covered service family member: appropriate Medical Certification needs to be completed by a medical provider.
- Qualifying exigency of a family member: Certification of Qualifying Exigency for Military Family Leave needs to be completed.
- Placement of a child with employee for adoption or foster care: legal confirmation of the placement is required.
All forms are available on the System Human Resource Services FMLA page to the right under supporting forms.
All FMLA documents should be submitted to Library HR. There are a few options for submitting your forms:
- Emailed to libraryHR@library.illinois.edu
- Mailed or dropped off to our office (127 Main Library, 1408 W Gregory Dr, Urbana, IL, 61801)
- Faxed to our office (217-333-2214)
Once we have received the paperwork, we will review the information, contact the employee or medical provider if additional information needed, and if approved, send an approval letter to the employee and their supervisor.
Please view the appropriate instructions for reporting FMLA Leave: