FMLA Leave Request Process for Bastrop County Employees
Bastrop County is committed to supporting employees who need to take time off for family or medical reasons. If you have been employed by Bastrop County for at least one year and have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours in the past 12 months, you may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
What is the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible Bastrop County employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period for certain family or medical reasons. In some cases, involving military service members, leave may be extended up to 26 weeks.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must:
Have worked for Bastrop County for at least 12 months and have logged 1,250 actual work hours in the past 12 months.(Note: Sick leave, vacation, or other paid time off does not count toward the 1,250-hour requirement.)
Leave Amount
Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of leave per 12-month period, calculated using a rolling backward method.
If both spouses work for the County, they may be limited to a combined 12 weeks for bonding leave following a child’s birth or placement.
Qualifying Reasons for FMLA Leave:
FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of leave in a rolling 12-month period for the following reasons:
- The birth, adoption, or placement of a child for foster care.
- To care for a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition.
- For an employee’s own serious health condition that prevents them from performing their job duties.
- For a qualifying exigency arising from a family member’s active duty or call to active duty in the military.
Steps to Request FMLA Leave:
If you need to take FMLA leave for any of the above reasons, please follow these steps:
Contact the Office of Human Resources:
To initiate the FMLA request process, the employee will need to complete and send “FMLA Leave Request Form” to Human Resources so that HR can determine eligibility and provide an FMLA packet of information to you specific to your qualifying reason.
Please contact – Chelse Peterson at Chelse.Peterson@co.bastrop.tx.us or human.resources@co.bastrop.tx.us.
Notice provided to employer:
- If possible, an employee must give at least 30 days advance notice of the need to take FMLA leave when he or she knows about the need for the leave in advance.
- If 30 days advance notice is not possible because the foreseeable situation has changed, or the employee does not know exactly when leave will be required, the employee must provide notice of the need for leave as soon as possible. In emergency situations, notify HR as soon as you are able.
Complete The Required Forms
- You will need to submit certain medical or military certification forms depending on the reason for your leave. This is the FMLA packet of information HR will provide to you. These forms should be submitted to HR as part of your request. The necessary forms are listed below as well.
- Once HR receives your request and completed forms, we will review your eligibility and notify you whether your FMLA leave is approved. If additional information is required, HR will inform you promptly. Human Resources will provide the FMLA designation notice to you and your department supervisor.
- While on leave, it’s important to stay in touch with HR for any required updates or to report changes to your leave status.