{"id":12172,"date":"2026-01-14T01:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T06:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=12172"},"modified":"2026-05-05T15:22:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T20:22:43","slug":"fmla-federal-leave-guide","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employee-leaves\/fmla-federal-leave-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal FMLA leave requirements: A practical HR guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b5fc8583 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<p class=\"\">by <strong>Sofija Anderson, Michelle Barrett Falconer, Alexis C. Knapp, Casey Kurtz, Judith A. Paulson, Mark T. Phillis, Barbara Rittinger Rigo, Jean L. Schmidt, Terri M. Solomon <\/strong>and <strong>Susan A. P. Woodhouse<\/strong>, Littler<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is one of the most complex and highly enforced employment laws, making accurate administration essential for employers and HR professionals. This comprehensive guide provides an in\u2011depth, practical analysis of FMLA requirements, helping HR teams confidently manage leave requests, maintain compliance, and reduce legal risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Designed for HR professionals, people managers, payroll teams, and compliance leaders, the guide explains when and how eligible employees are entitled to unpaid, job\u2011protected leave for family, medical, and military\u2011related reasons. It covers every stage of the FMLA process\u2014from preparing for leave requests and issuing required notices to designating, calculating, tracking, and administering leave, including intermittent and reduced schedule leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The guide also addresses critical employer obligations during and after leave, such as maintaining health benefits, coordinating paid time off, handling reinstatement and fitness\u2011for\u2011duty certifications, and navigating the interaction between FMLA, ADA, workers\u2019 compensation, state laws, and collective bargaining agreements. Detailed guidance on recordkeeping, confidentiality, prohibited actions, enforcement, and strategies to prevent abuse supports effective day\u2011to\u2011day compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Whether you are developing policies, training managers, responding to leave requests, or conducting self\u2011audits, this resource serves as a trusted reference for understanding and administering the FMLA and staying prepared for future developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this guide, learn about:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">The Family and Medical Leave Act<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Revisions\/changes to the FMLA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">FMLA definitions, generally<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Preparing for FMLA requests\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">General notice posting requirements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Creating an FMLA policy and other written guidance\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Required employee notice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Moonlighting policies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Inflexible leave policies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">No-fault attendance policies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">FMLA employer coverage\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Covered employers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Receiving and reviewing employee requests for FMLA leave\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Employee notice of need for FMLA leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Determining employee eligibility for FMLA leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Qualifying reasons for leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Requesting certification of the need for leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Other forms of certification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Employer challenges to certifications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Designating, calculating and tracking leave requests\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Eligibility notice to employee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Rights and responsibilities notice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Employer notices relating to key employee status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Designation notice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Calculating and tracking leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Determining leave entitlement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Stacking of FMLA leave time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Holidays and temporary cessations of business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Administering and processing intermittent and reduced schedule leave requests\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Intermittent leave and reduced schedule leave \u2013 defined<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Employee notice of intermittent or reduced schedule leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Required intermittent and reduced schedule leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Optional intermittent and reduced schedule leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Certification for intermittent or reduced schedule leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Recertification of intermittent or reduced schedule leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Designating intermittent or reduced schedule leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Increments of intermittent leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Tracking intermittent and reduced schedule leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Special rules for elementary and secondary schools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) considerations for intermittent leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Holidays and temporary cessations of business<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Temporary transfer of an employee on intermittent or reduced schedule leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Returning from intermittent leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Challenges of intermittent or reduced schedule leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Methods to prevent abuse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Employer obligations when employee is out on leave\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Maintenance of employee health benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Payment of health care premiums while on FMLA leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Payment options<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Notice requirements regarding payment of health care premiums<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Failure to pay health plan premiums<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Failure to return from leave and effects on health care coverage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Recovering premiums<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Changes in employer\u2019s health plans or benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Termination of health care coverage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Maintenance of multi-employer health plan benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Non-health benefits during FMLA leave<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Compensation while on FMLA leave\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Required substitution of paid time off benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Option to use paid time off benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Enforcing paid time off policy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Employer tax credits for paid leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Other paid benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Interplay of other disability leaves and state laws<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Treatment of holidays and company closures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Public employers: compensatory time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Pay docking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Terminating or taking otherwise negative action against employees on leave\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Considerations prior to taking adverse actions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Employer burden to show negative action is not based on exercise of FMLA rights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Reinstating employees returning from FMLA leave\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Adequately preparing for reinstatement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Return to work or fitness-for-duty certification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Key employee notice relating to reinstatement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Job restoration rights\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">ame or equivalent position<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Circumstances affecting restoration rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Leave-related accommodations under the ADA and returning employees to work<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Interaction with workers\u2019 compensation, state and local law and collective bargaining agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Curbing FMLA fraud and abuse\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">What is FMLA fraud<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">What is FMLA abuse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Moonlighting while on FMLA leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Strategies to combat FMLA fraud and abuse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">FMLA interplay<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">FMLA recordkeeping requirements\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Types of records to keep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Time period required to maintain certain records<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Method of retention<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Maintenance of personnel files<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Confidentiality and employee privacy concerns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Confidential files<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Employer\u2019s records retention policy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Actions prohibited by the FMLA\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Interference<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Individual liability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Waiver and release of FMLA rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Enforcement rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Filing a FMLA complaint with the Secretary of Labor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Private lawsuit under the FMLA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Relief available for prevailing FMLA litigants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Violations of posting requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Participating in a self-audit program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Future developments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to see more?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">For full access to <strong>FMLA: Federal<\/strong>, sign up for an HR and Compliance Center subscription today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/us\/quote\/?intcmp=hrcc-migrated-resource|quote|request-a-quote\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Request a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<p style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\" class=\"\">Jurisdiction: Federal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0b691c38 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:1rem;padding-top:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Latest updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Updated to reflect Department of Labor Opinion Letter FMLA2026-2 regarding use and certification requirements related to travel to and from medical appointments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a36fa716 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get ahead of HR compliance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Navigating today\u2019s complex HR compliance landscape is challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Get ahead with Brightmine. Access HR resources and automation tools managed by seasoned human HR experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\" class=\"\"><a href=\"\/us\/products\/hr-compliance-center\/#lexisnexis\">Proudly partnered with LexisNexis<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ecba6b92 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"166\" height=\"44\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/16090337\/LexisNexis-logo.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9646\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" 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sets a baseline, state-specific family and medical leave laws &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #E9E7E4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/total-rewards\/employee-benefits\/navigating-rising-benefits-costs-a-guide-for-hr-leaders\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/14145553\/employee-benefits-c-and-i-feature.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Commentary and Insights<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/total-rewards\/employee-benefits\/navigating-rising-benefits-costs-a-guide-for-hr-leaders\/\">Navigating rising benefits costs: A guide for HR leaders<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">Employee benefits costs continue to rise, making it more challenging to maintain competitive benefits. Here are three focus &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-primary-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-250ebfdbbc932fb0a860f2058b3b6da0 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:10px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/12085517\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-681\" style=\"border-radius:25px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:10px;padding-left:10px\">\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Littler<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.littler.com\/littler-global\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Littler<\/a>, the largest global employment and labor law practice, exclusively represents the global employer community in all aspects of employment and labor law. Littler litigates, mediates and negotiates some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Littler&#8217;s practice areas are extensive and their expertise crosses over multiple industries and spans a wide array of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.littler.com\/practices-industries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">employment law areas<\/a>&nbsp;such as discrimination and harassment, labor management relations, executive compensation, ERISA and benefit plan litigation, leaves of absence and disability accommodation, hiring, performance management and termination, employment practices audits and wage and hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Littler is the exclusive author of Brightmine&#8217;s prestigious\u00a0Employee Handbook. Their experience with preparing employee handbooks and their ongoing contributions to Brightmine in the areas of federal and state leaves of absence, disabilities and multistate employer issues made them a natural fit to partner with us on the creation of a robust set of model handbook policy statements and guidance for federal, state and key municipalities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-bbb7e64f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" id=\"newsletter\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Sign up to receive expert HR insights from Brightmine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ebe15cfa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Join our community and stay updated with industry trends, expert insights, valuable resources, webinar invites\u2026 and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Sign up now and receive regular updates straight to your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-contact-form-7-contact-form-selector is-style-flex-layout\" redirectaftersubmission=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/thank-you-insights-email\/\">\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f9272-o1\" lang=\"none\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"9272\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/12172#wpcf7-f9272-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"9272\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.5\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f9272-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_title\" value=\"Newsletter\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqFormName\" value=\"sparknewsletter\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqFormName\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqSiteID\" value=\"1006146\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqSiteID\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"sfid\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"sfid\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"cmpid\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmpid\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqCookieWrite\" value=\"0\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqCookieWrite\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqCustomerGUID\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqCustomerGUID\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden a-s-text\" id=\"a-s-text\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"a-s-text\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"Market\" value=\"US\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Market\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"Website\" value=\"Website\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Website\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_source\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_source\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_medium\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_medium\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_campaign\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_campaign\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_content\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_content\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_content_type\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_content_type\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Source\" \/>\n\n<div class=\"c-grid  form-fields\">\n<div class=\"form-inputs-container\">\n<div class=\"inputs-container\">\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"firstName\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"35\" minlength=\"2\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"FirstName\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"firstName\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"EmailAddress\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"320\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Business email address\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"EmailAddress\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Country\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required fs-custom-unmask\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"Country\"><option value=\"\">Your country \/ region<\/option><option value=\"United States\">United States<\/option><option value=\"United Kingdom\">United Kingdom<\/option><option value=\"Afghanistan\">Afghanistan<\/option><option value=\"Aland Islands\">Aland Islands<\/option><option value=\"Albania\">Albania<\/option><option value=\"Algeria\">Algeria<\/option><option value=\"American Samoa\">American Samoa<\/option><option value=\"Andorra\">Andorra<\/option><option value=\"Angola\">Angola<\/option><option value=\"Anguilla\">Anguilla<\/option><option value=\"Antarctica\">Antarctica<\/option><option value=\"Antigua and Barbuda\">Antigua and Barbuda<\/option><option value=\"Argentina\">Argentina<\/option><option value=\"Armenia\">Armenia<\/option><option value=\"Aruba\">Aruba<\/option><option value=\"Australia\">Australia<\/option><option value=\"Austria\">Austria<\/option><option value=\"Azerbaijan\">Azerbaijan<\/option><option value=\"Bahamas\">Bahamas<\/option><option value=\"Bahrain\">Bahrain<\/option><option value=\"Bangladesh\">Bangladesh<\/option><option value=\"Barbados\">Barbados<\/option><option value=\"Belarus\">Belarus<\/option><option value=\"Belgium\">Belgium<\/option><option value=\"Belize\">Belize<\/option><option value=\"Benin\">Benin<\/option><option value=\"Bermuda\">Bermuda<\/option><option value=\"Bhutan\">Bhutan<\/option><option value=\"Bolivia, Plurinational State\">Bolivia, Plurinational State<\/option><option value=\"Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba\">Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba<\/option><option value=\"Bosnia and Herzegovina\">Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/option><option value=\"Botswana\">Botswana<\/option><option value=\"Bouvet Island\">Bouvet Island<\/option><option value=\"Brazil\">Brazil<\/option><option value=\"British Indian Ocean Territory\">British Indian Ocean Territory<\/option><option value=\"Brunei\n    Darussalam\">Brunei\n    Darussalam<\/option><option value=\"Bulgaria\">Bulgaria<\/option><option value=\"Burkina Faso\">Burkina Faso<\/option><option value=\"Burundi\">Burundi<\/option><option value=\"Cambodia\">Cambodia<\/option><option value=\"Cameroon\">Cameroon<\/option><option value=\"Canada\">Canada<\/option><option value=\"Cape Verde\">Cape Verde<\/option><option value=\"Cayman Islands\">Cayman Islands<\/option><option value=\"Central African Republic\">Central African Republic<\/option><option value=\"Chad\">Chad<\/option><option value=\"Chile\">Chile<\/option><option value=\"China\">China<\/option><option value=\"Christmas Island\">Christmas Island<\/option><option value=\"Cocos (Keeling) Islands\">Cocos (Keeling) Islands<\/option><option value=\"Colombia\">Colombia<\/option><option value=\"Comoros\">Comoros<\/option><option value=\"Congo\">Congo<\/option><option value=\"Congo, the Democratic Republic of the\">Congo, the Democratic Republic of the<\/option><option value=\"Cook Islands\">Cook Islands<\/option><option value=\"Costa Rica\">Costa Rica<\/option><option value=\"Cote d&#039;Ivoire\">Cote d&#039;Ivoire<\/option><option value=\"Croatia\">Croatia<\/option><option value=\"Cuba\">Cuba<\/option><option value=\"Cura\u00e7ao\">Cura\u00e7ao<\/option><option value=\"Cyprus\">Cyprus<\/option><option value=\"Czech\n    Republic\">Czech\n    Republic<\/option><option value=\"Denmark\">Denmark<\/option><option value=\"Djibouti\">Djibouti<\/option><option value=\"Dominica\">Dominica<\/option><option value=\"Dominican Republic\">Dominican Republic<\/option><option value=\"Ecuador\">Ecuador<\/option><option value=\"Egypt\">Egypt<\/option><option value=\"El Salvador\">El Salvador<\/option><option value=\"Equatorial Guinea\">Equatorial Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Eritrea\">Eritrea<\/option><option value=\"Estonia\">Estonia<\/option><option value=\"Eswatini\">Eswatini<\/option><option value=\"Ethiopia\">Ethiopia<\/option><option value=\"Falkland Islands (Malvinas)\">Falkland Islands (Malvinas)<\/option><option value=\"Faroe Islands\">Faroe Islands<\/option><option value=\"Fiji\">Fiji<\/option><option value=\"Finland\">Finland<\/option><option value=\"France\">France<\/option><option value=\"French Guiana\">French Guiana<\/option><option value=\"French Polynesia\">French Polynesia<\/option><option value=\"French Southern Territories\">French Southern Territories<\/option><option value=\"Gabon\">Gabon<\/option><option value=\"Gambia\">Gambia<\/option><option value=\"Georgia\">Georgia<\/option><option value=\"Germany\">Germany<\/option><option value=\"Ghana\">Ghana<\/option><option value=\"Gibraltar\">Gibraltar<\/option><option value=\"Greece\">Greece<\/option><option value=\"Greenland\">Greenland<\/option><option value=\"Grenada\">Grenada<\/option><option value=\"Guadeloupe\">Guadeloupe<\/option><option value=\"Guam\">Guam<\/option><option value=\"Guatemala\">Guatemala<\/option><option value=\"Guernsey\">Guernsey<\/option><option value=\"Guinea\">Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Guinea-Bissau\">Guinea-Bissau<\/option><option value=\"Guyana\">Guyana<\/option><option value=\"Haiti\">Haiti<\/option><option value=\"Heard Island and McDonald Islands\">Heard Island and McDonald Islands<\/option><option value=\"Holy\n    See (Vatican City State)\">Holy\n    See (Vatican City State)<\/option><option value=\"Honduras\">Honduras<\/option><option value=\"Hong Kong\">Hong Kong<\/option><option value=\"Hungary\">Hungary<\/option><option value=\"Iceland\">Iceland<\/option><option value=\"India\">India<\/option><option value=\"Indonesia\">Indonesia<\/option><option value=\"Iran, Islamic Republic of\">Iran, Islamic Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Iraq\">Iraq<\/option><option value=\"Ireland\">Ireland<\/option><option value=\"Isle of Man\">Isle of Man<\/option><option value=\"Israel\">Israel<\/option><option value=\"Italy\">Italy<\/option><option value=\"Jamaica\">Jamaica<\/option><option value=\"Japan\">Japan<\/option><option value=\"Jersey\">Jersey<\/option><option value=\"Jordan\">Jordan<\/option><option value=\"Kazakhstan\">Kazakhstan<\/option><option value=\"Kenya\">Kenya<\/option><option value=\"Kiribati\">Kiribati<\/option><option value=\"Korea, Democratic People&#039;s Republic of\">Korea, Democratic People&#039;s Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Korea, Republic of\">Korea, Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Kosovo\">Kosovo<\/option><option value=\"Kuwait\">Kuwait<\/option><option value=\"Kyrgyzstan\">Kyrgyzstan<\/option><option value=\"Lao People&#039;s Democratic Republic\">Lao People&#039;s Democratic Republic<\/option><option value=\"Latvia\">Latvia<\/option><option value=\"Lebanon\">Lebanon<\/option><option value=\"Lesotho\">Lesotho<\/option><option value=\"Liberia\">Liberia<\/option><option value=\"Libyan Arab Jamahiriya\">Libyan Arab Jamahiriya<\/option><option value=\"Liechtenstein\">Liechtenstein<\/option><option value=\"Lithuania\">Lithuania<\/option><option value=\"Luxembourg\">Luxembourg<\/option><option value=\"Macao\">Macao<\/option><option value=\"Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic\n    of\">Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic\n    of<\/option><option value=\"Madagascar\">Madagascar<\/option><option value=\"Malawi\">Malawi<\/option><option value=\"Malaysia\">Malaysia<\/option><option value=\"Maldives\">Maldives<\/option><option value=\"Mali\">Mali<\/option><option value=\"Malta\">Malta<\/option><option value=\"Marshall\n    Islands\">Marshall\n    Islands<\/option><option value=\"Martinique\">Martinique<\/option><option value=\"Mauritania\">Mauritania<\/option><option value=\"Mauritius\">Mauritius<\/option><option value=\"Mayotte\">Mayotte<\/option><option value=\"Mexico\">Mexico<\/option><option value=\"Micronesia\">Micronesia<\/option><option value=\"Moldova, Republic of\">Moldova, Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Monaco\">Monaco<\/option><option value=\"Mongolia\">Mongolia<\/option><option value=\"Montenegro\">Montenegro<\/option><option value=\"Montserrat\">Montserrat<\/option><option value=\"Morocco\">Morocco<\/option><option value=\"Mozambique\">Mozambique<\/option><option value=\"Myanmar\">Myanmar<\/option><option value=\"Namibia\">Namibia<\/option><option value=\"Nauru\">Nauru<\/option><option value=\"Nepal\">Nepal<\/option><option value=\"Netherlands\">Netherlands<\/option><option value=\"New Caledonia\">New Caledonia<\/option><option value=\"New Zealand\">New Zealand<\/option><option value=\"Nicaragua\">Nicaragua<\/option><option value=\"Niger\">Niger<\/option><option value=\"Nigeria\">Nigeria<\/option><option value=\"Niue\">Niue<\/option><option value=\"Norfolk Island\">Norfolk Island<\/option><option value=\"Northern Mariana Islands\">Northern Mariana Islands<\/option><option value=\"Norway\">Norway<\/option><option value=\"Oman\">Oman<\/option><option value=\"Pakistan\">Pakistan<\/option><option value=\"Palau\">Palau<\/option><option value=\"Palestinian Territory, Occupied\">Palestinian Territory, Occupied<\/option><option value=\"Panama\">Panama<\/option><option value=\"Papua New\n    Guinea\">Papua New\n    Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Paraguay\">Paraguay<\/option><option value=\"Peru\">Peru<\/option><option value=\"Philippines\">Philippines<\/option><option value=\"Pitcairn\">Pitcairn<\/option><option value=\"Poland\">Poland<\/option><option value=\"Portugal\">Portugal<\/option><option value=\"Puerto Rico\">Puerto Rico<\/option><option value=\"Qatar\">Qatar<\/option><option value=\"Reunion\">Reunion<\/option><option value=\"Romania\">Romania<\/option><option value=\"Russian Federation\">Russian Federation<\/option><option value=\"Rwanda\">Rwanda<\/option><option value=\"Saint Barth\u00e9lemy\">Saint Barth\u00e9lemy<\/option><option value=\"Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha\">Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha<\/option><option value=\"Saint\n    Kitts and Nevis\">Saint\n    Kitts and Nevis<\/option><option value=\"Saint Lucia\">Saint Lucia<\/option><option value=\"Saint Martin (French part)\">Saint Martin (French part)<\/option><option value=\"Saint Pierre\n    and Miquelon\">Saint Pierre\n    and Miquelon<\/option><option value=\"Saint Vincent and the Grenadines\">Saint Vincent and the Grenadines<\/option><option value=\"Samoa\">Samoa<\/option><option value=\"San Marino\">San Marino<\/option><option value=\"Sao\n    Tome and Principe\">Sao\n    Tome and Principe<\/option><option value=\"Saudi Arabia\">Saudi Arabia<\/option><option value=\"Senegal\">Senegal<\/option><option value=\"Serbia\">Serbia<\/option><option value=\"Seychelles\">Seychelles<\/option><option value=\"Sierra\n    Leone\">Sierra\n    Leone<\/option><option value=\"Singapore\">Singapore<\/option><option value=\"Sint Maarten (Dutch part)\">Sint Maarten (Dutch part)<\/option><option value=\"Slovakia\">Slovakia<\/option><option value=\"Slovenia\">Slovenia<\/option><option value=\"Solomon Islands\">Solomon Islands<\/option><option value=\"Somalia\">Somalia<\/option><option value=\"South Africa\">South Africa<\/option><option value=\"South Georgia and the South\n    Sandwich Islands\">South Georgia and the South\n    Sandwich Islands<\/option><option value=\"South Sudan\">South Sudan<\/option><option value=\"Spain\">Spain<\/option><option value=\"Sri Lanka\">Sri Lanka<\/option><option value=\"Sudan\">Sudan<\/option><option value=\"Suriname\">Suriname<\/option><option value=\"Svalbard and Jan Mayen\">Svalbard and Jan Mayen<\/option><option value=\"Sweden\">Sweden<\/option><option value=\"Switzerland\">Switzerland<\/option><option value=\"Syrian Arab Republic\">Syrian Arab Republic<\/option><option value=\"Taiwan\">Taiwan<\/option><option value=\"Tajikistan\">Tajikistan<\/option><option value=\"Tanzania, United Republic of\">Tanzania, United Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Thailand\">Thailand<\/option><option value=\"Timor-Leste\">Timor-Leste<\/option><option value=\"Togo\">Togo<\/option><option value=\"Tokelau\">Tokelau<\/option><option value=\"Tonga\">Tonga<\/option><option value=\"Trinidad and Tobago\">Trinidad and Tobago<\/option><option value=\"Tunisia\">Tunisia<\/option><option value=\"Turkey\">Turkey<\/option><option value=\"Turkmenistan\">Turkmenistan<\/option><option value=\"Turks and Caicos Islands\">Turks and Caicos Islands<\/option><option value=\"Tuvalu\">Tuvalu<\/option><option value=\"Uganda\">Uganda<\/option><option value=\"Ukraine\">Ukraine<\/option><option value=\"United Arab Emirates\">United Arab Emirates<\/option><option value=\"United\n    States Minor Outlying Islands\">United\n    States Minor Outlying Islands<\/option><option value=\"Uruguay\">Uruguay<\/option><option value=\"Uzbekistan\">Uzbekistan<\/option><option value=\"Vanuatu\">Vanuatu<\/option><option value=\"Venezuela,\n    Bolivarian Republic of\">Venezuela,\n    Bolivarian Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Viet Nam\">Viet Nam<\/option><option value=\"Virgin Islands, British\">Virgin Islands, British<\/option><option value=\"Wallis and\n    Futuna\">Wallis and\n    Futuna<\/option><option value=\"Western Sahara\">Western Sahara<\/option><option value=\"Yemen\">Yemen<\/option><option value=\"Zambia\">Zambia<\/option><option value=\"Zimbabwe\">Zimbabwe<\/option><\/select><\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"form-submit\">\n<button type=\"submit\" id=\"contact-us-submit-button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\">Get our latest updates<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n*<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/\" 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By registering your details, you understand that your personal data will be handled according to our <a href=\"https:\/\/risk.lexisnexis.com\/group\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. \n<\/p><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"client_id\" class=\"client_id\" \/><input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel5\" name=\"Telephone5\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"2S0OI3\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel6\" name=\"Telephone6\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"DduwX4\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel7\" name=\"Telephone7\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"8ihsaF\"><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This guide provides detailed guidance on administering leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, including employer coverage, employee eligibility, notice and certification 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