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The working class in the United States at all times has a responsibility for the maintenance of family members who are ill at a varying age of the development continuum. Some workers are in need to take a leave of absence in order to take care of their sick children, parents, or even to take care of them when they are ill. This is where the Family Medical Leave Act comes in for the working American. The main purpose for this act is to balance the demands of the workplace, such as promoting economic stability, and helping to preserve family integrity. Employers on the other hand, are sometimes zealous to have tasks completed, and in so doing their actions may conflict with the welfare of the employees. The establishment of this act has given many employees a piece of mind when it comes to their jobs, but with many others misusing this amendment and employers having to worry about productivity, many have called for this act to be revised and improved in order to benefit everyone who utilizes it.
The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 was implemented to address a growing need in the modern American workplace; employees needed the ability to tend to their loved ones without fear of losing their jobs. There was also in increase in working parents, both mother and father, and it was important that both parents be able to participate in early childhood development and caring for them when they became seriously ill. In other cases, when family members became ill, there was a need for someone to take care of them. Many workplace policies did not accommodate workers on these issues and made employees decide between their family and their jobs. On February 5, 1993, President Clinton signed this, the first piece of legislation under his administration, into law. Under the Family Medical Leave Act, eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12 month period for specified family and medical reasons. The employer may elect to use the...