Under the District of Columbia Family Leave policy eligible employees are entitled to 16 weeks of family leave to care for members of their family and 16 weeks of medical leave for themselves within a 24-month period.

The federal Family Medical Leave Act entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave within a 12-month period to either care for a family member or to receive care for themselves. Employees requesting such leave must provide appropriate supporting legal or medical documentation.

Under either policy, care for a family member does not have to be only for a serious medical condition, but also includes the birth, adoption or legal placement of a child in your care on a permanent basis. Family and medical leave under the Federal plan and District of Columbia family and medical leave run concurrently and cannot be used consecutively.

Paid leave may be used in lieu of unpaid leave and will be applied against your 12 or 24-month period. Periods of Workers' Compensation, and approved short-term and/or long-term disability will also be included in your medical leave entitlement.

If you are interested in applying for family medical leave, please contact Employee Relations at 202-806-5054 .

DC FMLA Poster

FMLA Election Form

FMLA Medical Certification Form

Learn more about FMLA click here.