Family and Medical Leave for Classified Staff

Fort Lewis College is committed to supporting employees as they balance work with other aspects of their lives.  Family and medical leave are available for employees who need to take time off work due to

  • The employee’s own serious health condition
  • The care of a sick family member
  • Childbirth or adoption

Such leave may be a combination of paid and unpaid leave.  In all cases, these policies ensure qualified employees with job protection and maintenance of group health benefits.

Unpaid Family and Medical Leave

All qualified exempt employees may take up to twelve weeks of unpaid family and medical leave, under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, when they need leave due to their own medical condition, or for the care of a newborn, newly adopted child, or sick family member.

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Some or all of the twelve weeks of available family and medical leave may be taken as paid leave if the staff member opts to use his or her available sick leave and annual leave.