The Family and Medical Leave Act

guarantees each letter carrier up

to 12 weeks of leave each

postal leave year, for:

1. A new child in the family—by birth,

by adoption or by

placement in foster care;

2. Caring for a family member with

a serious health condition; or

3. The employee's own serious health

 condition that prevents him or her

 from performing the job.

The FMLA guarantees time off,

whether paid or unpaid.

The type of leave taken depends

on the reasons for the leave,

an employee's earnings and the

usual postal leave regulations.

There are eligibility criteria,

medical certification guidelines

and other detailed rules

governing letter carrier rights to

FMLA leave.