How many weeks of paid leave does the Family and Medical Leave Act provide?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for certain family and medical reasons. This includes provisions for the birth and care of a newborn child, the adoption of a child, or the care of an immediate family member with a serious health condition, as well as the employee's own serious health condition.

The significance of this law lies in its ability to ensure that employees can take necessary leave without the fear of losing their job. Upon returning, they are entitled to be restored to the same or an equivalent position. The 12 weeks of leave can be taken all at once or intermittently, depending on the situation and employer policies.

The other options do not reflect the provisions of the FMLA. Six, eight, and sixteen weeks are not accurate representations of the total leave time provided under this federal law, as the FMLA clearly states the entitlement as 12 weeks.