The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was enacted in 1993 to help accommodate the needs of employees and their families for time off due to illness or childbirth. Eligible employees of covered employers are entitled to take unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons and to continued, uncompromised health insurance coverage. Employees are eligible for FMLA leave if they have been employed by a covered employer for at least 12 months, whether or not consecutive; had at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12 months immediately preceding the start of the leave; and are employed at a worksite where the employer employs 50 or more employee within 75 miles. It is unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of or the attempt to exercise, any right to which employees are entitled. The FMLA is a complex statute and is only a starting point.