Can You Get Another Job While on FMLA?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) enables eligible employees to take time off from work to handle their medical and family needs. During FMLA leave, an employee is protected from being fired as long as they meet certain conditions, but this can lead to one big question – can you get another job while on FMLA?
The answer is – it depends. Here are some things to take into consideration:
Eligibility Matters
To be eligible for FMLA, the employee must meet a few requirements. They must have worked for the employer 12 months and 1250 hours. Therefore, they must have worked with the employer long enough to qualify. If they do qualify, then they will be eligible to take FMLA if they are suffering from a qualifying medical condition or have a qualifying family member with an illness. That can determine whether they can get another job during FMLA.
Duration of FMLA
The duration of the FMLA matters as well. If it’s for a short period of time – such as two or three weeks – then there is nothing to stop the employee from looking for another job. On the other hand, if the duration of the FMLA is longer – such as several months – then it is not recommended to look for another job. Not only could it be disruptive, but it could also make it more difficult for the employee to be approved for FMLA in the future.
Restrictions of FMLA
The FMLA does have some restrictions. Employees are still required to follow their employer’s policies and procedures while on leave. This means that they will not be allowed to accept another full-time job during FMLA. They are also not allowed to use the leave time to look for another job.
FMLA and Other Employment Options
While FMLA does not allow employees to take on another full-time job, there are other employment options that can be pursued.
- Part-Time Work: Employees can look for part-time work while on FMLA. This will enable them to earn some extra income while they are still entitled to the protections of FMLA.
- Temporary Employment: Employees can look for other temporary employment opportunities while on FMLA. Temporary employment offers the flexibility of working a certain number of hours on a project or contract basis.
- Freelance Work: Employees can also find freelance work while on FMLA. Freelance work can be an effective way to make money on a flexible schedule, and employees can usually take on as many or as few projects as they need.
In conclusion, the answer to whether an employee can get another job while on FMLA depends on their individual circumstances. Employees need to be aware of their rights and obligations under the FMLA, and they should also be aware of any restrictions imposed by their employer. With that said, there are still several viable options for earning income during FMLA.