The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a U.S. law that allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons. This includes caring for a newborn, adopting a child, or addressing serious health conditions. Employees can take up to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period without losing their job or health insurance benefits. To qualify for FMLA, employees must work for a covered employer, have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year, and be at a location where 50 or more employees are employed within 75 miles. The law aims to support families during critical times.