Family and Medical Leave Act in the Context of Conscious Governance

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) represents a significant step towards creating a more compassionate and supportive work environment. The FMLA covers both public- and private-sector employees, but certain categories of employees, including elected officials and highly compensated employees, are excluded or face certain limitations. To be eligible for FMLA leave, an employee must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, have worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location where the employer has at least 50 employees within 75 miles. The FMLA has been shaped by the principles of social justice and ecological economics.