Today, February 5th, 2013, marks 20 years since the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The FMLA was enacted to provide eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year to recover from a serious health condition, care for a seriously ill family member, or bond with a new child.
20 years on, millions of workers with family caregiving responsibilities have been aided by this historic law, no longer having to choose between work and family. However, FMLA’s protections do not go far enough and do not extend to all those who need them.