DC Family Medical Leave Act protects your job while you take paid or unpaid leave. Your boss is obligated to protect your job while taking DCFMLA – your job must be there for you once you return from DCFMLA. Special changes have been made during the COVID-19 emergency.
DC Family Medical Leave Act (DCFMLA) factsheet: https://ohr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ohr/publication/attachments/DCFMLA_Poster_March2016.pdf
General information regarding DCFMLA:
The District of Columbia Family and Medical Leave Act (DCFMLA) requires employers with 20 or more employees to provide eligible employees with 16 weeks of unpaid family leave and 16 weeks of unpaid medical leave during a 24 month period.
Leave under DCFMLA may be taken in blocks of time, intermittently, and in certain circumstances, at a reduced schedule.
Employees can also use any accrued time instead of unpaid leave including Paid Sick and Safe Leave.
Family Leave: Eligible circumstances for family leave under DCFMLA include the birth of a child, adopting a child, or caring for a child in foster care. Caring for a seriously ill family member is also eligible for family leave.
Medical Leave: Eligible circumstances for medical leave under DCFMLA includes recovering from a serious illness rendering the employee unable to work.
Changes during the COVID-19 Emergency
Changes to the law can be found on page 4 of the COVID-19 Response Temporary Amendment Act of 2020.
The emergency legislation allows workers to use DCFMLA leave for any reason related to COVID-19, including self-quarantining:
- DCFMLA now covers all small businesses regardless of size
- DCFMLAnow waives amount and time you needed to work before you are allowed to apply
Apply for DCFMLA at Department of Human Resources
If you have issues accessing DCFMLA, please contact the DC Office of Human Rights ohr.dc.gov phone: (202) 727-4559 fax: (202) 727-9589 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 20010