There are two family leave laws that Wisconsin workers can take advantage of:
- Federal Family & Medical Leave (FMLA)
- Wisconsin Family & Medical Leave (WI FMLA)
If you qualify for both federal FMLA and WI FMLA, both leave periods will run concurrently.
Federal Family & Medical Leave (FMLA)
FMLA provides leave to care for a:
- Child (who is under the age of 18 or incapable of self-care due to a physical or mental disability)
- Spouse
- Parent (including a biological, adoptive, foster, or step-parent, or any other person who stood "in loco parentis” but not including a parent-in-law)
FMLA eligibility includes:
- All public employers and private employers who employ 50 or more workers within 75 miles of the employee’s worksite.
- Employees must have worked for a covered employer for at least one year and have worked for that employer for at least 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months.
FMLA provisions:
Up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for the following reasons:
- For incapacity due to pregnancy, prenatal medical care, or childbirth
- To care for the employee’s child after birth, or placement for adoption or foster care
- To care for the employee’s spouse, son or daughter, or parent, who has a serious health condition
- For a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform their job
- For certain needs in connection with a loved one's military deployment
- If medically necessary, employees caring for a seriously ill loved one may be able to take this time in smaller chunks, spread out over time, rather than all at once
FMLA Protections:
- Job and Seniority: Upon return from FMLA leave, nearly all employees must be restored to their original or equivalent positions with equivalent pay, benefits, and other employment terms. Rare exceptions to this rule are explained here.
- Benefits: During FMLA leave, the employer must maintain the employee’s health coverage and continue paying any share of their health insurance premium under any “group health plan” on the same terms as if the employee had continued to work.
- FMLA rights: An employer can’t punish an employee in any way for using their FMLA rights and can’t interfere with the employees ability to use their rights under the law.
How to apply for FMLA:
- Notify your employer of your need for leave. You'll need to get your loved one's health care provider to certify their health condition and need for care. Your employer will then provide you with notices and forms to fill out and return to them.
- If you know in advance when your leave will start, tell your employer at least 30 days before that date. If you can’t do so or don’t know in advance, tell your employer as soon as possible.
Detailed information about Federal FMLA, visit the US Department of Labor website.
Wisconsin Family & Medical Leave Act (WI FMLA)
The state of Wisconsin expands on the Federal FMLA law with:
- Eligibility for more residents
Wisconsin provides WI FMLA leave to care for a:
- Child (who is under the age of 18 or incapable of self-care due to a serious health condition)
- Spouse
- Domestic partner
- Parent (including a parent-in-law)
WI FMLA eligibility includes:
- All public employers and private employers who have employed 50 or more workers during at least 6 of the last 12 months
- Employees must have been employed by f a covered employer for at least 52 consecutive weeks and worked for that employer for at least 1000 hours in the preceding 52 week period.
WI FMLA provisions:
- Up to two (2) weeks of unpaid family leave each calendar year for your own serious health condition or to care for a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition.
- Up to 6 weeks for the birth or adoption of a child.
- This leave may be taken in blocks or intermittently as needed by the employee.
- You must be allowed to substitute accrued paid or unpaid leave of any other type that your employer provides.
WI FMLA protections:
- Job: your employer is required to restore you to your original or equivalent position with equivalent pay, benefits, and other employment terms.
- Benefits: Employers are required to maintain your group health insurance under WI FMLA.
How to apply for FLA in Wisconsin:
- To apply for WI and/or federal FMLA, notify your employer of your need for leave. They’ll provide you with notices and forms to fill out and return to them.
- Your employer may require you to provide medical certification of the need for leave.
- You must make your request for planned leave in advance in a reasonable and practicable manner whenever possible.
Visit the Wisconsin.gov website for the most current details about Wisconsin family leave policies.
The information on this page should not be considered legal advice. Other protections may apply in your specific situation.
At RubyWell, we’re paving a path to financial stability for all family caregivers. Our Family Leave Finder provides state-by-sate info on family leave laws. Soon, family caregivers will be able to make the most of a loved one’s health insurance benefits with our Medicare Advantage Benefits Navigator. And ultimately, we're developing compensation solutions so that every family caregiver can be a paid caregiver. If you’d like to be among the first to hear about future products, join our waiting list.
Was this guide helpful for you? Share it with family or friends who are also trying to balance work and caring for a family member.
