Intermittent Leave

Intermittent leave is a provision under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that allows employees to take time off work in separate blocks of time for qualifying reasons, such as a serious health condition of the employee or a family member.

Example #1

An employee may take intermittent leave to attend weekly medical appointments for a chronic condition.

Example #2

A parent may take intermittent leave to care for a child with a serious health condition that requires periodic medical care.

Misuse

Misuse of intermittent leave could involve falsely claiming the need for time off under FMLA for non-qualifying reasons. This is important to prevent because it can lead to abuse of leave policies, decreased productivity, and unfair treatment of other employees who genuinely require time off for legitimate reasons.

Benefits

Intermittent leave benefits employees by providing flexibility in managing their health or caregiving responsibilities while maintaining job security. For example, an employee with a chronic condition can schedule medical treatments without the fear of losing their job.

Conclusion

Intermittent leave, when used appropriately, helps employees balance work and personal obligations during challenging times. It is crucial to have safeguards in place to prevent misuse and ensure that this benefit remains fair and effective for all employees.

Related Terms

Family And Medical Leave Act (FMLA)