When employees need to take time off for personal or family medical reasons, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) offers crucial protections. However, many people wonder how taking FMLA leave — especially intermittently — impacts their full-time status and eligibility for health benefits. In this post, we’ll dive into how intermittent FMLA works and clarify its effects on employee benefits and status.
What is Intermittent FMLA?
FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period for specific medical or family-related reasons. In some cases, employees may need to take this leave intermittently rather than in one continuous block. Intermittent FMLA is when an employee takes leave in separate blocks of time for the same medical reason — for example, taking a few hours off weekly for a recurring medical appointment or taking a few days off spread across several months to care for a sick family member.
Impact on Full-Time Status
A major concern for employees is whether taking FMLA leave intermittently affects their status as full-time employees. The good news is that intermittent FMLA does not affect an employee’s full-time status. Whether you take continuous or intermittent leave, the law ensures that you retain your full-time status during the leave period. This means that your employer must continue to consider you a full-time employee for the purposes of pay, seniority, and eligibility for benefits.
In fact, under FMLA regulations, your employer is required to return you to the same or an equivalent position when you return from leave. Your job, title, pay, and benefits cannot be downgraded simply because you used FMLA leave.
Health Benefits Coverage During FMLA
Another concern for many employees is whether their health benefits — such as medical, dental, and vision insurance — are affected when they take intermittent FMLA leave. The FMLA mandates that employers maintain group health coverage under the same conditions as if the employee had been working continuously.
What does this mean? Simply put, your health insurance will remain active, and your employer must continue to pay its share of the premiums during your FMLA leave. If you typically pay a portion of your health insurance premium, you will still be responsible for paying that share while on leave, whether you take the leave all at once or in smaller, intermittent increments.
Using Paid Time Off (PTO) with FMLA
In some cases, your employer may require you to use accrued paid time off (PTO), such as sick days or vacation, concurrently with your FMLA leave. This policy varies by employer, but it’s important to note that using PTO during FMLA leave does not reduce your eligibility for benefits. You will still maintain your full-time status and health insurance benefits.
Returning to Work After Intermittent FMLA
One of the key protections under FMLA is that employees who take leave — whether continuously or intermittently — are entitled to return to the same or an equivalent position once their leave is completed. “Equivalent” in this context means a position that is virtually identical in terms of pay, benefits, working conditions, and seniority. Employers cannot penalize you for taking leave, and your full-time status remains protected.
Key Takeaways
- Full-Time Status: Intermittent FMLA leave does not change your full-time status.
- Health Benefits: Your health insurance benefits remain in place under the same terms, whether you take FMLA leave continuously or intermittently.
- Job Protection: You have the right to return to the same or an equivalent position after taking FMLA leave.
Intermittent FMLA leave can be a lifesaver for employees dealing with ongoing medical needs or family care, and understanding your rights under the FMLA ensures that you can take the necessary time off without fear of losing your job or benefits.
If you’re considering taking FMLA leave or have questions about your specific situation, feel free to contact us at Southern Payroll & Bookkeeping for guidance. Knowing your rights is the first step toward balancing your work and health needs.