Family Medical Leave

Qualifying City of Monona employees are entitled to unpaid, job-protected leave with appropriate health insurance coverage maintained by the City in accordance with the provisions of the Federal and Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Acts.  Because there are two different laws at play (Federal and State) and each law has different provisions which run concurrently when they both apply, you should refer to the City's FMLA Policy for details and discuss your options with Leah Kimmell.  However, this page provides a general overview of how FMLA works.

Who Qualifies?

In order to qualify, you must have been employed with the City of Monona for at least 12 months and worked a minimum of 1,000-1,250 hours during the prior 12 months.

What Events Qualify

  • The birth, adoption, or foster care of a child
  • Your own serious health condition* which renders you unable to perform your job
  • The serious health condition of your spouse, child, or parent which requires that you care for them (domestic partners and in-laws have a limited qualification under State law only.)
  • The deployment of your spouse, child, or parent

*serious health condition is defined very specifically in the law.  See the full policy for definitions.

How Do I Apply for FMLA Leave?

If you are able, complete the FMLA Request Form and return to your supervisor as soon as you are aware of the need for leave so the City can plan for your absence.  In emergency or unexpected circumstances, contact your supervisor as soon as possible. The details of your leave can be worked out with you when you are able.

Can I Get Paid While on FMLA Leave?

FMLA entitles you to job-protected leave without pay.  However, you may use your accumulated vacation and sick leave balances so that you continue to be paid for part or all of your FMLA leave.  It is important to note, however, that you are only entitled to a maximum of 12 weeks, regardless of whether those weeks are unpaid or paid. For instance, if you have 4 weeks of accumulated sick leave, you cannot take 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave, then use your 4 weeks of sick leave to extend your leave to 16 weeks.  

What About My Health Insurance?

Your health insurance coverage will be maintained while you are on FMLA leave, on the same terms as if you continued to work.  If you are on unpaid leave, you will still need to pay your share of the monthly health insurance premium (10% for full-time employees) even though you aren't receiving a paycheck during that time.

How Much Leave Can I Take?

In general, you can take up to 12 weeks of leave per calendar year. For the birth or adoption of a child, you receive 12 weeks total during your child's first year, which may be over two calendar years.  

Does FMLA Leave Need to Be Taken Consecutively?

Employees are allowed to take time intermittently.  For instance, a new parent may take 2 consecutive weeks of leave when their child is born, return to work for several months, then take their remaining 10 weeks.  Or, an employee may take several weeks of leave to care for a parent who needs surgery, then return to work but continue to take one day of leave per week to drive their parent to therapy or follow-up appointments.

Can I Choose Not to Use FMLA?

No.  If you take leave for a reason which qualifies under the FMLA, the City will count it toward your FMLA allocation for that year.