The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for specific family and medical reasons, including personal health conditions, caring for a family member, or bonding with a new child. During FMLA leave, employees retain access to group health benefits under the same terms as if they were working. This law applies to public agencies, schools, and private employers with 50 or more employees, provided employees meet specific work requirements. For more details, refer to the FMLA Fact Sheet from the Department of Labor.