Do you ever feel like your employer is taking advantage of you? What about when they don’t pay you for the time that you take off from work? If so, then this article may be able to help. There are certain rights employees have when it comes to unpaid leaves. We’ll discuss these rights and how they can protect your job security in the long run.
What Are Unpaid Leave Of Absences?
Taking some time off from work can be a great way to recharge and refocus. However, whether you’re taking time off for personal or family reasons, it’s vital that your employer is aware of the situation and supports what you need to do to take care of things.
Unpaid leaves may often come with certain restrictions such as:
- Amount of time you can take off
- Lump-sum of time you can take in a year or over several years
This means that if you have to use some of your unpaid leave, it may end up being difficult. If this is the case, you should know what rights employees have regarding these types of leaves and why they’re essential for your job security. At California Employment Law Firm, they have extensive knowledge about employee’s rights and can help you make sense of them.
Different factors cover many possibilities:
- The right to have specific benefits reinstated after a leave;
- The right to sue an employer for violations of the law that occurred during a leave;
- The right not to be retaliated against by your employer if you exercise some rights under the law, including the right to take family or medical leave. Or even choose whether or not you want to work somewhere that doesn’t provide unpaid leaves;
- The right to be free from interference and discrimination against you for exercising your rights under the law;
- As well as other benefits including reinstatement, back pay, front pay, medical expenses or additional out-of-pocket costs. Each of these could apply in certain circumstances. For example:
- If you need to take time off for family or medical-related reasons, then the law protects your right not to be retaliated against by your employer.
- Or if after taking a leave of absence due to an illness, injury, or medical condition and returning to work, but are fired shortly after that without good cause; Then they may be able to sue their employer for wrongful termination.
With all of these rights, you must know what they are and how you can protect yourself by exercising them if necessary.
If you feel like your employer isn’t providing unpaid leaves or violating the law in any way during this time, then don’t hesitate to contact your lawyer about what your options are. This way, you can learn more about the law and how it may apply to your situation in particular.
Is It Okay To Take Unpaid Leave?
Employees that are qualified for FMLA may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during a year. This means you have the right to be reinstated when your vacation is over and not fired for taking it in the first place.
FMLA rights also protect employees from being retaliated against by their employers if they exercise sure leaves under this law, including family or medical-related leaves.
Who Is Eligible For Unpaid Leave?
Employees are eligible for this type of leave if they have worked at least 12 months, compared with the previous employer, and have clocked in a minimum number of hours.
They may also be qualified under FMLA or state laws that provide similar rights to employees about unpaid leaves. However, it’s important to note that not all employers are required to provide this type of leave.
Under The FMLA, employees may be able to take up to 12 weeks off if they’re dealing with one or more of the following situations:
- Taking care of a new baby within their first year after birth;
- Care for seriously ill family members that have issues such as cancer or heart conditions;
- A severe injury may affect their ability to work or take care of themselves.
Why Do You Need To Hire A Lawyer?
You must hire a lawyer if your employer isn’t providing unpaid leaves under FMLA or state law. This is because employees’ rights about these types of leaves can vary depending on what kind of leave they’re taking and for which reasons, among other things.
Some employers may take advantage of your situation as an employee and fire you for taking a leave. In other cases, however, a lack of proper procedures from employers may put them at risk of being sued by employees that have been discriminated against or retaliated against for exercising their rights under FMLA laws.
Final Words
Employees must know their rights when it comes to unpaid leaves so they’re not being taken advantage of by their employer or violating any laws, which could cause them problems later on down the road. However, understanding the law that governs these types of leaves can be complex, so it’s a good idea to contact an employment lawyer or law firm if you need more information about your rights.