Human Resource Blog

Amount of time off

	Attendance Management
Vacation Request / Response Form Weekly Time Sheets Attendance Calendar for 2008, 2009, or 2010 Annual Attendance Tracker Vacation Request Form for 2008, 2009, 2010 (Calendar) Detailed Absence Report

	Benefits
Total Compensation Summary Performance Improvement Plan Performance Appraisal and Review Employee Payroll Status/Change Form Employee Change Form

Does the 12 weeks of unpaid time off equal 60 work days and 480 hours?

12 wks = 60 work days = 480 hours?

That is a great question. When the US Department of Labor says that an employee can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave under FMLA, they mean exactly that. The number of days and hours will depend upon the employees normal schedule.

Suppose Beth is a bank teller. She typically works 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. Yes, Beth would be entitled to 60 days of leave, or 480 hours of leave total.

Now suppose Cindy is a part-time stock clerk. She normally works 5 days per week, 20 hours per week. Cindy would still be entitled to 12 weeks of FMLA leave. However, for Cindy that equates to 60 days or 240 hours of leave.

As you probably know, employees can use FMLA leave intermittently or sporadically. Suppose Beth and Cindy both have migranes, which cause them to take FMLA intermittently. Beth is still entitled to a total of 480 hours of leave, while Cindy is entitled to a total of 240 hours of leave over a 12 month period.