Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), is a federal law that provides job and benefit protection for certain qualifying leaves of absence. The act requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-related leave to eligible employees.
Employee FAQs
For answers to the most commonly asked questions click here.
Important Changes to FMLA Process
Dartmouth is pleased to announce a change to the administrator of our Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA ) benefit. As you may know, FMLA offers up to 12 weeks of unpaid job protection for eligible employees who need to be out of work for bonding with a newborn child, their own medical condition, or the medical condition of their spouse, parent or child.
Currently, employees apply for Family Medical Leave (FML) through Dartmouth’s Benefits office and beginning September 1, 2024, employees will apply for FML directly with Lincoln Financial Group (the current administrator of our Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) programs). This transition will provide employees with one contact for STD, LTD and now, FML. This transition will also remove the need for paper applications, increase the access for employees to apply, and track the status of their claim.
Please note, for Parental leaves, you will still contact the Disability office.
Family Medical Leave Policy
Please click here to review the full Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy, which includes additional information not found on this website.
Eligibility
If you are an eligible employee under the FMLA, meaning that you have worked for Dartmouth for at least one year and worked a total of 1,250 in the previous 12-month period prior to the commencement of the leave, Dartmouth provides up to 12 weeks of protected leave for a qualified reason..
Dartmouth policy is that FML runs concurrently with your short-term disability leave. If your FML begins with a claim for short term disability, Lincoln Financial (800-213-1531) will guide you through the application process.