Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees at Georgia Southern University to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health plan coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. Employees are required to use accrued sick and/or vacation leave prior to taking unpaid leave.

Eligible employees are entitled to 12 weeks (480 hours) of leave in a rolling 12-month period for the following qualifying reasons:

• Your Own Serious Health Condition: A serious mental or physical health condition that makes you unable to work (e.g., surgery, cancer treatment, pregnancy complications).
• Family Care: To care for your spouse, child, or parent with a serious mental or physical health condition.
• Bonding: The birth of a child, or the placement of a child with you for adoption or foster care, and to bond with the new child.
• Military Exigency: Certain qualifying reasons related to the foreign deployment of your spouse, child, or parent who is a military service member.
• Military Caregiver: Up to 26 weeks of leave to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness.

Standard FMLA Process

The following steps are the standard FMLA process for a continuous leave for a Georgia Southern employee, based on the “FMLA Road Map” found in the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Employee Packet for Continuous FMLA.

1. New Leave Request – If the need for leave is foreseeable, you must give 30 days’ notice. If the need is sudden, notify HR as soon as possible. You must submit the FMLA Leave Request Form to begin the process.
   • Submit the Online FMLA Request Form Here
2. Eligibility Notice – The HR team will send an eligibility notice within 5 business days of receiving your request. Note: Eligibility does not guarantee approval; it confirms you meet the tenure/hours requirements.
3. Certification Form – You may be required to submit supporting documentation, typically a Medical Certification Form from a healthcare provider. You must return this within 15 calendar days of the request.
   • Certification of Employee’s Serious Health Condition
   • Certification of Family Member’s Serious Health Condition
4. Final Designation Notice – Watch your email inbox. HR will review your documentation and notify you if your leave is approved as FMLA-protected and outline your next steps, including submitting your Extended Absence Request.
   • How to Submit an Extended Absence Request
5. Communication – Employees on leave are expected to communicate with the HR team. If your leave is close to the full 12-week period, check in every 30 days. You must also notify HR immediately if your dates or condition change.
6. Return to Work – You must contact the HR team at least 3 business days before your scheduled return. If the leave was for your own medical condition, you must provide a Return to Work Medical Release Form (or doctor’s note) clearing you to work before you can resume duties.
   • Return to Work Medical Release Form

Request Process and FAQs

Questions?

Contact the Benefits Team

• Phone: 912-478-MYHR (6947)
• Fax: 912-478-0321
• Email the Benefits, Leave and Wellness team: HRBeWell@georgiasouthern.edu
• Create a Human Resources Ticket >