The federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 requires certain employers to allow eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period.

The federal eligibility requirements do not require coverage for all participants in the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local No. 11 Health and Welfare Plan (Plan).

The Board of Trustees reviewed the application of the FMLA to the Plan's participants.  The Board of Trustees determined that the Plan will provide more liberal benefits than required by FMLA to all employees in the Plan.  An employee is eligible for these benefits if an employee satisfies all of the following requirements:

• is on unpaid leave because of FMLA or equivalent leave required by state law, or under the collective bargaining agreement;

• is taking the leave for:

  • the care of the employee's child (birth, placement for adoption or foster care); or

  • the care of an immediate family member (spouse, child or parent) with a serious health condition; or

  • a serious health condition for which prevents the employee from working.

• worked at least 1,250 hours for the employer within the previous months.

If you satisfy all three requirements, you will receive health benefits equivalent to that required by FMLA.

The Board of Trustees will constantly monitor its decisions.  The results of the monitoring could require a change in the Board of Trustees' policy decisions.