Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
To apply for a new Leave of Absence, fill out the New Leave Request form to submit your request. You must use your HCPSS account to submit the request.
To request a change the start and/or end date of an existing approved Leave of Absence, please contact your Leave Specialist.
- Employee last names A-G, contact Jennifer (Lisa) Watkins, 410-313-1501
- Employee last names H-O, contact Fatima Sye, 410-313-6695
- Employee last names P-Z , contact Gale Gibbs, 410-313-1508
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is unpaid family or medical leave of up to 12 work weeks during any 12-month period. Eligible employees may take family and medical leave because of:
- The serious health condition that prevents the employee from performing the essential functions of the employee’s job
- The birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care
- Qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent is on active duty or call to active duty status as a member of the National Guard or Reserves in support of a contingency operation.
For more information about FMLA, please review:
- The Department of Labor Family and Medical Leave Act page
- Department of Labor Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act poster
- HCPSS Policy 7100
Eligibility
An employee who is employed with the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) for at least 12 months prior to the start of the leave and has worked the required number of hours per their position. Your Leave Specialist will help you determine FMLA eligibility.
Employee Protections
FMLA is job-protected and benefit-protected leave. This means while on approved FMLA leave, your job with HCPSS is protected and your benefits remain as if you are actively working.